.png)
Energy By Design is a residential energy services company specializing in Florida Energy Code compliance documentation and 3rd party verification.
Our mission is to help you the builder, architect or homeowner, navigate through the requirements set by the Florida Energy Code. To that end, we thought it would be helpful to have an overview of the different pathways available and the various ways to demonstrate compliance.
Although the residential energy efficiency standards are set high, so is the flexibility.
Pathways in the Florida Energy Code
There are four pathways available, each with it's own advantages, freeing you to determine which methods and materials will achieve the building you desire. Not only will you have the building of your dreams, the environment it creates will be comfortable and efficient.
Prescriptive R-Value Method:
The prescriptive path sets specific requirements for the U-values and R-values of the materials applied throughout the building envelope as well as their installation techniques. These values are determined through the utilization of various tables, based on climate zones, found in the code. All the other pathways are based on achieving those performance levels obtained by following the prescriptive pathway. Although the prescriptive path is straightforward, building materials and application flexibility is limited.
Alternative Total UA Method:
This pathway uses a trade-off approach which provides flexibility for builders and designers. It can be considered a subset of the prescriptive path as it applies specifically to materials utilized in the buildings thermal envelope, but it provides some flexibility in that it allows trading efficiency in one area of the thermal envelope for another. For example, if the prescriptive path requires the use of R-38 insulation in the attic but the building design requires less, you may choose to use a higher than required R-value in the walls, or more efficient windows, to achieve equivalent thermal envelope efficiencies.
Simulated Performance Alternative:
The simulated performance path is where true flexibility is at play. With this pathway a whole-building energy-based computer simulation is performed. This is commonly referred to as a building's energy calculation. The building energy calculation is a software analysis of the proposed building's construction materials and mechanical equipment, such as heating and cooling equipment, plus water heating equipment, the building's geometrical features, the location and orientation of the home, plus the local weather data.
This combination of data is utilized to produce a computer simulation of the building's efficiencies and estimated annual energy usage. The proposed building's annual energy consumption is calculated and then compared with that same building if it were constructed strictly along the prescriptive path. If the energy simulation determines that the proposed building is as efficient or more so than the reference building, it then meets the standard set by the code.
Energy Rating Index Alternative (ERI):
The ERI pathway takes the building energy analysis system configuration even further by utilizing the data of the building materials, mechanical equipment and water heating equipment, and adds in credit for items such as Energy Star appliances and high efficacy lighting. With this pathway an Energy Rater analyzes the pre-build data and inspects the building at various points during construction. Installation quality is evaluated and rated, construction materials are verified, and equipment efficiencies are confirmed and recorded. The energy rater evaluates the data and performs an energy model including all of the different variables applied during construction to produce an energy rating number. There are strict standards for how the Energy Rating Index score is achieved and raters must be certified and highly knowledgeable in the field of building performance. To meet the Florida Energy Code ERI compliance alternative, the score must be lower than 58 in climate zones 1-2.
For more on how HERS/ERI scores are configured and utilized see our article entitled: Resnet HERS Rating or the Energy Rating Index?
The Florida Energy Code encourages us to develop building techniques and materials that will continue to improve in efficiency, comfort and sustainable design. It was designed with flexibility and simplicity leaving us to create buildings of beauty within the framework of performance, safety and efficient livability.
Each of the pathways to achieving Florida Energy Code Compliance has various mandatory requirements and steps to verification and documentation. Energy By Design is here to help you navigate through these steps and provide the documentation needed by your jurisdiction. To find out more about how we can help you achieve Florida Energy Code compliance, give us a call today!
Eric Goodwell
Energy By Design
(407) 450-0925