Jan. 12 Vote on Alabama's First Mandatory Energy Code
The Alabama Residential and Energy Code (AERC) has been published in the November 30 issue of the state administrative journal. The AERC Board has scheduled a public hearing and vote on January 12 to give final approval for a proposal for Alabama’s first mandatory statewide energy code. If approved, the Board has tentatively set a June 1, 2012 effective date for enforcement.
As proposed, the commercial code would be based on the 2009 IECC. The residential code would be based on Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC with amendments that include:
- - Deleting the section for protection of exposed foundation insulation
- - Adding a section stating that local jurisdiction above code programs must be approved by the AERC Board
- - Making the certificate stating the insulation R-values, U-factors and SHGC for fenestration voluntary instead of mandatory
- - Substituting the insulation and fenestration Requirements from the 2009 IECC, which are slightly more stringent
- - The section for slab-on-grade floor insulation was deleted.
- - The requirement for programmable thermostats was deleted.
- - The requirement for R-8 duct insulation was delayed until July 1, 2013
- - Duct Leakage testing is not required until July 1, 2013
Legislation passed in March 2010 created the AERC Board with the authority to adopt mandatory residential and commercial energy codes for the entire state and residential building codes for jurisdictions that had not implemented a residential building code prior to March 2010. The state has previously adopted the Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA 2004) – based on the 2000 IECC – as a voluntary code for residential construction. Since December 2008, the 2006 IECC has been encouraged for private commercial construction. The Alabama Building Commission enforces ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for all state building construction.
The Alabama Energy Code Ambassadors Program (ECAP) will also expand in 2012.
More Information: Rule 305-2-4 | SB 315 | ADECA Building Energy Efficiency | ADECA Building Energy Codes
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