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State of Utah Adopts Energy Rating Index Compliance Option to State Energy Code

Apr 7, 2016

The State of Utah has joined the ranks of state and municipal code jurisdictions that have incorporated the Energy Rating Index as a compliance option to their residential energy building codes with the Utah State Legislature adoption of H.B. 316.

The Utah legislature adopted a modified 2015 International Energy Conservation Code.  In terms of the Energy Rating Index, the new state energy code modified the Energy Rating Index scores requirements to:

Climate Zone 3 – Not to exceed an Energy Rating Index score of 65

Climate Zone 5 – Not to exceed an Energy Rating Index score of 69

Climate Zone 6 – Not to exceed an Energy Rating Index score of 68

The state legislature also removed the back stop mandatory requirements of the 2009 IECC.

The previous energy code for the state was a modified version of the 2009 IECC.

While the 2015 IECC was modified by the legislature, the action is significant in that Utah is one of seven states to adopt the 2015 IECC and Energy Rating Index compliance option.

The 2016 Utah energy code also is a first in that it defines who can conduct air and duct tightness testing required by the Utah energy code:  “The following parties shall be approved to conduct testing: Parties certified by BPI or RESNET, or licensed contractors who have completed training provided by Blower Door Test equipment manufacturers or other comparable training.”

In addition, the Utah legislature set the state energy code on a six year cycle.

Shawna Cuan, Governor’s Office of Energy Development

Shawna Cuan, Building & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program Specialist of the Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development commented “We are excited to be a leading state in adopting the 2015 IECC.  Utah is committed to being on the forefront of building standards, and this action means more energy efficient, durable, and healthy homes for Utahans.”

To view the legislation go Utah 2015 IECC

In Utah in 2015 there were 1,498 homes HERS® rated and issued a HERS® Index Score.  The average HERS® Index Score of homes rated in the state was 61.

RESNET and the International Code Council (ICC) recently conducted a webinar on the Energy Rating Index Option to the 2015 IECC and the opportunities for certified RESNET HERS® Raters to be ICC certified Energy Code Inspectors.  To download the webinar go to ICC/RESNET Energy Rating Index Webinar for Code Officials

RESNET and the ICC have produced a video production explaining how HERS® can be used to demonstrated compliance to an energy code.  To view the video go to HERS® Index and Energy Codes