ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE

Compliance forms must be submitted for all new buildings and commercial additions, and for use changes or interior alterations on existing non-residential buildings that increase the energy consumption. Residential and non-residential compliance packets with the appropriate forms are available from Building & Zoning, 281 N. College Ave. Fort Collins, CO.

Basic Residential Energy Code Requirements Summary
These basic minimum Fort Collins Residential Energy Code requirements always apply, regardless of whether the "prescriptive" or an "energy rating" compliance method is selected as specifically noted. Refer to the "Residential Energy Code Compliance Guide" for specific details -available at the Building & Zoning office.

1. PERMIT APPLICATION. The appropriate completed energy code compliance forms must be included with the plans and permit application. To qualify for the $75 PERMIT FEE REDUCTION when using either ENERGY SCORE or E-Star^tm, the builder must include a signed City agreement form with the building permit application. See Fee Reduction for Energy Rating Systems
2. Except for Energy Score or E-Star^tm homes, the "Fort Collins Air Sealing Checklist" must be followed or a "blower door" performance test must be done prior to a Certificate of Occupancy.
3. INSULATION will be inspected by City staff and must be installed in accordance with the "Fort Collins INSULATION GUIDELINES" Note: With either Energy Score or E-Star^tm the "preliminary rating" together with insulation, window, and HVAC equipment details, must be submitted to Building & Zoning before an "Insulation Inspection" is authorized. For a given repeated ("stock") plan, the rating must be based on the "worst case" configuration energy-wise. (The E-Star^tm minimum required rating number is "80". The Energy Score rating number must be within the program's published range according to floor area.)
4. ATTIC HATCHES must have permanently affixed R-19 insulation, weather stripping, and a 16-inch deep permanent, rigid dam (not cardboard) around the opening perimeter to retain loose fill insulation.
5. WHOLE HOUSE FANS must be provided with a "winter" cover insulated to R-4.
6. RECESSED LIGHT FIXTURES must be approved, factory air-sealed or "air lock ready" cans that are also sealed at the ceiling penetration.
7. CRAWL SPACES must br provided with a moisture/vapor retarder equal to 6-mil PE, rated at 1 perm maximum, installed on the exposed earth floors of all crawl spaces.
8. DUCT SEALING AND INSULATION. HVAC ducts in unconditioned spaces (i.e., on the exterior side of the thermal barrier and/or the air barrer), must be permanently sealed (mastic) and insulated to R-6.
9. WATER HEATER PIPING. Both cold and hot water piping within 8 feet of the appliance must be covered with R-3 insulation; or heat traps must be installed in the piping at the appliance to slow convective heat loss.
10. COMBUSTION AIR ducts must meet the sizing criteria established by Building & Zoning; and they must be labeled to identify their function and warn occupants against tampering.
11. MINIMUM HVAC EFFICIENCIES are: 78% AFUE for furnaces; 80% for boilers; 10.0 SEER for AC; and Federal standards for water heaters.
12. DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS. A separate disclosure form, supplied by Building & Zoning, certifying each of the following components:
    1. insulation
    2. mechanical equipment
    3. [not applicable to Energy Score and E-Star^tm ratings] air sealing or a "blower door" performance test
13. All must be signed the the installer or the General Contractor and be submitted to Building & Zoning prior to issuing the Certificate of Occupancy.

A FINAL RATING for Energy Score or E-Star^tm must be submitted to Building & Zoning prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy.

Fee Reduction for Energy Rating Systems

Program overview:

A $75 "Fee Reduction" in the building permit fee for a new home is now available to builders who utilize either of the two approved, total building energy "systems analysis" (energy rating) programs in lieu of the conventional ("prescriptive") list of minimum specifications to demonstrate their proposed new home complies with the City's residential energy code. The Fort Collins Light & Power's Energy Score and the State-sponsored E-Star^tm energy rating systems are both recognized computer evaluation tools that produce a home energy-efficiency "rating". The resulting assigned number between one and 100 (the higher the number, the better the overall energy performance) is determined by an intependent qualified technician. Unlike the prescriptive method, energy rating systems offer ultimate flexibility by allowing "trade-offs" among nearly all the energy-related components that go into new construciton, including passive solar gain and HVAC equipment efficiency, provided the end product uses no more energy than the identical home built using the conventional energy standards.

Eligibility Criteria:

The builder must commit to using one of the two approved rating systems: Energy Score or E-Star^tm by signing the City agreement form at the time of building permit application. Failure to complete a home using the rating program chosen will result in forfeiture of the $75 and no Certificate of Occupancy being issued until energy code compliance is demonstrated.

With either Energy Score or E-Star^tm, the "preliminary rating" together with insulation, window, and HVAC equipment details, must be submitted to Building & Zoning before an "Insulation Inspection" is authorized. For a given repeated ("stock") plan, the rating must be based on the "worst case" configuration energy-wise. The E-Star^tm miminum required rating number is "80". The Energy Score rating number must be within the program's published range according to floor area. Refer to the information handout available at Building & Zoning or Light & Power.

For more detailed energy code information, please refer to the Builder's Guide.