Revisions to the Energy Code were developed through an extensive public review process, during which DCLU held a series of 22 weekly public review meetings over a six-month period. These activities were summarized in previous issues of dcluINFO. In addition, a public forum moderated by City Councilmembers Heidi Wills and Richard Conlin, was held on July 12, 2001. In August and September, the Council Energy and Environmental Policy Committee held three public hearings on the Mayor’s recommendations.

City Council made several modifications to the Energy Code text in the Mayor’s proposal. The proposed building envelope criteria in Table 13-1 for fenestration U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for projects with a fenestration area of 30-40 percent of the gross wall area was extended to apply to projects with a 30-45 percent area and the 45-50 percent option was revised to allow a less-stringent U-factor.

Language was added to Section 1132.2 on replacement air handling equipment and replacement water-source heat pumps to provide an exception from bringing the mechanical system up to the economizer requirements where full compliance would place an unreasonable economic burden on the project. In addition, City Council has started several other initiatives which are listed following the summary of the key Energy Code changes.

The summary of key changes below does not list all the changes. The revisions apply to nonresidential occupancies and there are no proposed changes for Group R occupancy.

• Prescriptive glazing options revised to be based on glazing with low-e coatings and better solar control (Table 13-1). Provides consistency with Standard 90.1 & addendum.
• Overhead glazing U-factors revised to match actual products (Table 13-1), default U-factors for overhead glazing revised as companion change (Table 10-6).
• Allowance to use SHGC for center-of-glass (1312.2), prescriptive credits for overhangs and north-oriented glazing (1323.3), expanded table of default U-factors for masonry walls with metal studs (Table 10-5B). Greater flexibility, ease of compliance.
• Increased wall insulation for "other" space heat (Table 13-1). Reduced thermal bridges.
• Increased insulation for semi-heated spaces (1310.2) and masonry walls (Table 13-1).

• Efficiencies for heating and cooling equipment revised (1411.1 and Tables 14-1A to M).
• More use of economizer, lower thresholds, clearer calculations for water economizer (1433).
• Requirement for electronically-commutated motors in series mixing boxes (1437).
• Maximum damper leakage established (1412.4.1).
• Duct sealing and commissioning requirements clarified (1414.1 and 1416).
• Single pass systems eliminated for water conservation purposes (1411.1).

• Lighting power allowance revised to 1.0 W/sf for offices (but no change for small offices and medical offices), and to 1.2 W/sf for schools (Table 15-1). Revise to reflect current practice.
• Prescriptive option requires dimming ballasts (1521). Companion change to Table 15-1.
• Automatic shut-off controls required for all buildings, not only offices (1513.6). Provides consistency with IESNA Standard 90.1. Primary energy savings are evenings and weekends.
• Small offices, meeting and conference rooms, and school classrooms to have occupancy sensors (1513.6). Additional energy savings during the daytime.
• Daylighted zones to have automatic controls (1513.3). Either stepped controls (on-off lamp-by-lamp) or continuous dimming controls are allowed.
• Change of use to require compliance with lighting power allowance in Table 15-1.
• Certain internal building transformers to comply with NEMA TP-1-1996.

Additional City Council Initiatives

In response to issues brought forward by industry professionals, the following measures have been initiated:

• Grace period extended to February 28, 2002 to accommodate projects already in the design and permitting process;
• Review of flexibility and innovation potential within the code (RS-29) to be conducted by June 1, 2002;
• Convene a series of public meetings to evaluate potential modifications to City Light’s incentive programs;
• Review and define standard policies and procedures related to how the code applies to existing buildings;
• Develop materials and training sessions to enhance user-friendliness of the code; and
• Begin to evaluate potential exterior lighting modifications for energy efficiency.