1.0 Purpose and Statutory Authority
1.3 Delaware Code Title 16 Section 7602 provides the authority for adopting Delaware Energy Conservation Code. These regulations are promulgated under the authority of 16 Del.C. §7602.
“ASHRAE” means the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1: Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
“Department” means the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Division of Energy and Climate or the Delaware Energy Office.
“DET verifier” means a certified Duct and Envelope Tightness verifier. A certified DET verifier shall be a certified Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) rater, or be a certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor, or be a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Heating Professional to perform duct tightness testing or a BPI Building Analyst or Envelope Professional to perform building tightness testing, or successfully complete a course that is approved by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
“IECC” means the International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council, Inc.
3.0 Incorporation by Reference
4.0 Revisions to the 2012 IECC
4.1 The following additions, insertions, deletions, and other changes are hereby made to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.
4.1.1 R403.2.2 amend to add: Supply duct tightness shall be verified by either of the following:
2. Rough-in test: Total leakage less than or equal to 6 cfm (169.9/min) per square feet (9.29 m2) of conditioned floor area when tested at the pressure differential of 0.1 inches w.g. (25 Pa) (remainder unchanged – If the air handler is not installed….≤ 4 cfm…)
4.1.2 R403.4.2: amend list to:
1. Piping larger than 3/4 inch nominal diameter.
2. Piping serving more than one dwelling unit.
3. Piping from the water heater to kitchen outlets.
4. Piping located outside the conditioned space.
5. Piping from the water heater to a distribution manifold.
6. Piping located under a floor slab.
8. Supply and return piping in recirculation systems other than demand recirculation systems.
9. Piping with run lengths greater than the maximum run lengths for the nominal pipe diameter given in Table R403.4.2.
All remaining piping shall be insulated to at least R-3 or meet the run length
requirements of Table R403.4.2. Delete Table R403.4.2 without substitution.
4.1.3 R402.4.1.2:
Exception: A building or dwelling unit with 2,000 ft2 or less of conditioned floor area (CFA) may satisfy R402.4.1.2 if it:
(1) is tested to have an air leakage rate no greater than:
5 ACH-50 for homes with < 1,500 ft2 of CFA, or
4 ACH-50 for homes with 1,500 – 2,000 ft2 of CFA.)
4.1.4 R403.2.3 Building framing cavities shall not be used as ducts or plenums.
Exception: Returns run exclusively through conditioned space.
4.1.5 R403.5 The building shall be provided with ventilation that meets the requirements of the International Residential Code (IRC) or International Mechanical Code (IMC), as applicable, or with other approved means of ventilation. Outdoor air intakes shall have automatic or gravity dampers that close when the ventilation system is not operating. Required ventilation rates shall also include adequate provisions for fuel-fired appliance, stove and fireplace makeup air supply; kitchen, bath, clothes dryer, and central vacuum exhausts; and other makeup air system supplies and/or exhausts as required in either the IRC or IMC.
(remainder of section unchanged)
5.0 Implementation and Enforcement
6.0 Certified duct and envelope tightness (DET) verifier.
Testing for duct and building envelope tightness shall be conducted by a certified DET verifier.