Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2017Subtitle 12-I - ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2017- COMMERCIAL PROVISIONS (12-I[CE] DCMR)
Chapter 12-I4[RE] - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Section 12-I403 - SYSTEMS

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, 12-I403

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Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Section 12-I403 - SYSTEMS

Strike Section R403.3.1 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.3.1 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.3.1Insulation (Mandatory).

Supply and return ducts outside of the building thermal envelope shall be insulated to a minimum of R-8.

Exception: Where ducts are less than 3 inches (76mm) in diameter, a minimum of R6 is allowed.

Strike Section R403.3.2.1 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.3.2.1 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.3.2.1Sealed air handler.

Air handlers shall have a manufacturer's designation for an air leakage of no more than 2 percent of the design air flow rate when tested in accordance with ASHRAE 193.

Exception: ENERGY STAR-certified heating and cooling systems are deemed to be compliant.

Strike Section R403.3.3 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.3.3 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.3.3Duct testing (Mandatory).

Testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the result of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official before issuance of the certificate of occupancy or final inspection. Ducts shall be pressure tested to determine air leakage by one of the following methods:

1. Rough-in test: Total leakage shall be measured with a pressure differential of 0.1 inch w.g. (25 Pa) across the system, including the manufacturer's air handler enclosure if installed at the time of the test. All registers shall be taped or otherwise sealed during the test.
2. Postconstruction test: Total leakage shall be measured with a pressure differential of 0.1 inch w.g. (25 Pa) across the entire system, including the manufacturer's air handler enclosure. Registers shall be taped or otherwise sealed during the test.

Exception:

1. Where the ducts and air handlers are located entirely within the building thermal envelope.
2. Where ducts from an existing heating and cooling system are extended to an addition, duct systems with less than 40 linear feet (12.19 m) in unconditioned spaces.

Strike Section R403.5.3 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.5.3 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.5.3Hot water pipe insulation (Mandatory).

Insulate hot water pipe with a minimum thermal resistance ( R -value) of R-3

Strike Section R403.5.4 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety without substitution.

Strike Section R403.6 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.6 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.6Mechanical ventilation (Mandatory).

The building shall be provided with ventilation that meets the requirements of the Residential Code or the Mechanical Code , as applicable. Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall have automatic or gravity dampers that close when the ventilation system is not operating.

Strike Section R403.6.1 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.6.1 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

403.6.1Mechanical ventilation system fan efficacy.

Mechanical ventilation system fans shall meet the efficacy requirements of Table R403.6.1 or be certified to the most current version of ENERGY STAR.Exception: Where mechanical ventilation fans are integral to tested and listed HVAC equipment, they shall be powered by an electronically commutated motor.

Strike Table R403.6.1 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Table R403.6.1 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

TABLE R403.6.1 WHOLE-HOUSE MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEM FAN EFFICACYa

FAN LOCATION

AIR FLOW RATE MINIMUM (CFM)

MINIMUM EFFICACY (CFM/WATT)

AIR FLOW RATE MAXIMUM (CFM)

Range hoods

Any

2.8 cfm/watt

Any

In-line fan

Any

2.8 cfm/watt

Any

Bathroom or utility room

10

1.4 cfm/watt

< 90

Bathroom or utility room

90

2.8 cfm/watt

Any

For SI: 1 cfm = 28.3 L/ min.

a. When tested in accordance with HVI Standard 916.

Strike Section R403.7 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.7 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.7Equipment sizing and efficiency rating (Mandatory).

Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies.

New or replacement heating and cooling equipment shall have an efficiency rating equal to or greater than the minimum required by federal law for the geographic location where the equipment is installed. If available equipment cannot satisfy the latent and sensible loads calculated while complying with ACCA Manual S, the next larger size may be selected.

Exceptions:

1. Where the new cooling equipment utilizes multistage technology or variable refrigerant flow technology.
2. Where the new heating and/or cooling equipment is 1.5 tons or less.
3. Where ductwork is being extended from an existing equipment into an addition.
4. Where there is a replacement in kind of an existing system, as long as the BTU's of the new system are equivalent or smaller to the new equipment and the building thermal envelope is not being altered.

Strike Section R403.8 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.8 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.8Systems serving multiple dwelling units (Mandatory).

Systems serving multiple dwelling units shall comply with Sections 6 and 7 of the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in lieu of Section R403.

Exception: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and flats are exempt.

Strike Section R403.10.3 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R403.10.3 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

R403.10.3Covers.

Outdoor heated pools and outdoor permanent spas shall be provided with permanent, operable vapor-retardant cover or other approved vapor-retardant means.

Exception: Where more than 70 percent of the energy for heating, computed over an operation season, is from site-recovered energy, such as from a heat pump or solar energy source, covers or other vapor-retardant means shall not be required.

Strike Section R404 of the International Energy Conservation Code in its entirety and insert new Section R404 in the Energy Conservation Code-Residential Provisions in its place to read as follows.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, 12-I403

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)