Assessing Foundation Insulation Strategies for the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code in Cold Climate New Home Construction
Even though the International Energy Conservation Code 2012 (International Code Council 2012) is a model code now available for adoption by individual states, only two cold-climate states have adopted it as their new home energy code. Understanding the resistance to adoption is important in assisting more states to accept the code and engage in deep energy strategies nationwide. This three-part assessment by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership was focused on foundation insulation R-values for cold climates and the design, construction, and performance implications. In Section 1, a literature review and attendance at stakeholder meetings held in Minnesota were used to assess general stakeholder interest and concerns about proposed code changes. Section 2 includes drawings of robust foundation insulation systems that were presented at one Minnesota stakeholder meeting to address critical issues and concerns for adopting best practice strategies. In Section 3, a sampling of builders participated in a telephone interview to gain baseline knowledge on insulation systems used to meet the current energy code and how the same builders intend to meet the new proposed code. In general, most builders expressed interest in being able to deliver greater energy efficiency to their customers. Concerns were voiced, however, about the costs compared to the energy savings, constructability, and durability risk resulting from increased foundation insulation R-values. When solutions for building robust foundation wall systems were presented to stakeholders, they did express interest in learning the details of the strategies. There was, however, continued interest in proof of cost, payback, and hygrothermal performance. Builders who participated in the interview were more confident in being able to meet the new requirements. This might have been a result of these respondents already using more advanced techniques for foundation insulation. This insight gives Building America an opportunity to engage the industry with existing research and practice measures that can address constructability and durability concerns at the proposed code levels. It also indicates that builders are interested in more specific information on cost, energy savings, and overall hygrothermal performance. Filling these voids could yield the supportive data needed to enhance building industry confidence and engage more states in the adoption of 2012 International Energy Conservation Code for new homes.