ANSI, RESNET, AND ICC COLLABORATE TO PUBLISH RESNET 380 FOR HERS RATERS AND RFI’S
RESNET, a non-profit organization to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient, requires any building permits given after July 1st, 2018 to be tested to the RESNET 380 Standard. The main goals of 380 include increase flexibility by adding more test options and keeping everything more uniform.
RESNET partners with ANSI after ICC cracks down on the Chapter 8 standard. ANSI, also known as the American National Standard Institute, focuses on creating and governing U.S. standards. It is good for RESNET to partner with ANSI because it provides more legitimacy for the standard.
The most notable changes include differences in what is considered infiltration volume within the envelope space and conducting multipoint blower door test instead of singlepoint testing.
Infiltration Volume – The sum of the Conditioned Space Volume and Unconditioned Space
Volume in the dwelling unit, minus the volume of:
Floor cavities that have Unconditioned Space Volume both above and below
Unconditioned wall cavities
Attics
Vented crawlspaces
Garages
Basements, where the door between the basement and Conditioned Space Volume is closed during enclosure air leakage testing
Thermally isolated sunrooms
From this point forward, Crawlspaces, attics, and basements are only included in infiltration volume when there’s an access door or hatch between the adjacent volume and conditioned space are open (if the hatch is vented and interior access) during the Blower Door test.
Crawlspaces – Crawlspaces shall be configured as follows and the position of the crawlspace access doors and hatches shall be recorded. When the access doors and hatches between Conditioned Space Volume and the crawlspace are closed, due to requirements in 3.2.3.1, 3.2.3.2.1, or 3.2.3.2.2, the crawlspace shall be excluded from Infiltration Volume and Conditioned Space Volume.
Attics – Attics shall be configured as follows and the position of the attic access doors and hatches shall be recorded. When the access doors and hatches between the Conditioned Space Volume and the attic are closed, due to requirements in 3.2.4.1 or 3.2.4.2.1, the attic shall be excluded from Infiltration Volume and Conditioned Space Volume.
Multipoint Airtightness Test – With the new multi-point blower door testing protocol, the measurements should represent the average value over at least a 10 second period. For example, raters will need to measure at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 pascals rather than the single-point test at 50 pascals. If the single-point testing is used, then it will result in a 10% penalty.
Overall, the collaboration between ANSI, RESNET and ICC is to provide a great consistency over raters discretion in the field. These changes will insure a more energy efficient and comfortable home for the buyer, and provide a greater value for the single-family and multi-family homes being created.
For more information about the code changes, give Performance Point a call at 704-563-1030 or send me an email me at lilly@www.theperformancepoint.com.com
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