new homes program 2016 program guide - focusonenergy.com · 2016 program guide mission help...

Program Requirements

Version 4.5

January 1, 2016

New Homes Program

2016 Program Guide

Mission

Help homebuyers build the most energy-efficient home they can afford.

Eligibility

Any single-family home built in Wisconsin receiving natural gas and/or electricity from a utility participating in

Focus on Energy is eligible. Homes may be stand-alone, or part of a multi-unit building three (3) stories or

less. Homes must meet all applicable requirements contained within this document.

Building Performance Consultant Accreditation

Building Performance Consultants (BPCs) must be Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET®) certified

or possess an approved equivalent.

Builder/BPC Partnership

Participating builders must establish a partnership with a BPC. Both parties must complete a Trade Ally

Application in order to participate in the Program and receive incentive payments. A signed and completed

W-9 form is also required.

Trade Ally Application: https://focusonenergy.com/trade-allies/become-trade-ally/apply

Computer Modeling

BPCs must use the Wisconsin version of REM/Rate™ energy modeling software to calculate the home’s

estimated energy efficiency.

Site Visit Protocol

A minimum of two (2) site visits are required for each Focus on Energy Certified New Home.

Site Visit 1 – Framing and Insulation Review

The BPC reviews the framing for potential air bypasses, as well as the insulation installation, to ensure

Program requirements are met. Upon completion, the BPC submits a report to the builder indicating their

findings.

Final Site Visit – Performance Testing

The final site visit consists of the following:

Blower Door Test: A blower door test is conducted to verify that the home satisfies Program requirements for

air tightness. Refer to Program Standard 2 for the air tightness requirement.

Ventilation Capacity Testing: All ventilation equipment is tested to ensure performance meets American

Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) current 62.2 Standard and New

Homes Program requirements. Refer to Standards 7 and 8 for additional information.

https://focusonenergy.com/trade-allies/become-trade-ally/apply



http://www.ashrae.org/publications/detail/16396

http://www.ashrae.org/publications/detail/16396


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Program Standards Verification: The BPC confirms all applicable Program standards are met.

Program Standards

All applicable Program standards are required for certification. Note: When Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code

(UDC) requirements exceed Program standards, UDC requirements shall prevail.

1. Energy Efficiency Requirement

Description: The home must be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than if it was built to the

current Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code. Efficiency is based on total MMBtu/year consumption as

calculated by the Wisconsin version of REM/Rate energy modeling software.

Homes with negative energy savings values cannot be certified.

Rationale: This requirement establishes a baseline for energy efficiency.

Verification: REM/Rate’s customized Focus on Energy Certification Report calculates the percent better

than code value.

2. Air Tightness Requirement

Description: Building air-tightness must be equal to or less than 0.20 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per

square foot of the total building shell area when the home is depressurized to minus 50 Pascals.

Rationale: Building air tightness plays the most significant role in residential energy efficiency. Air

tightness not only influences heating and cooling energy consumption, but also provides draft-free

comfort and contributes to overall building durability.

Verification: Performance testing during the final site visit.

3. Sealed Sump Basin

Description: All sump basins must have an air-tight cover with all piping and electrical penetrations

sealed. Approved methods for air sealing a sump basin cover include:

Manufactured, air-tight sump basin cover

~ or ~

A custom-fit cover caulked in place.

Rationale: This requirement eliminates moisture and soil gas infiltration. It also contributes to improved

indoor air quality and home durability.

Verification: Visual verification during either site visit.

4. Sealed Plumbing Rough-in

Description: Any plumbing rough-in in the slab must be completely air sealed. Rigid code-approved

material, such as foil faced THERMAX™ sheathing, or pressure-treated wood cut to fit and caulked in

place, are acceptable methods of air sealing.


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Rationale: This measure eliminates moisture and soil gas infiltration, contributing to improved indoor air

quality and home durability.


5. Full Coverage Foundation Insulation

Description: The entire foundation wall surface must be insulated. The insulation can be located on the

interior, exterior, or a combination of both. Exceptions: Brick ledges or exposed foundation walls located

inside an attached garage, and exposed foundation walls along stairways from the basement into an

attached garage. However, it is highly recommended that these surfaces be insulated when possible.

Rationale: Insulating the foundation wall reduces heat loss and increases comfort.


6. Slab-on-Grade Thermal Isolation

Description: Slab-on-grade construction is defined as a home without a basement or crawl space. With

slab-on-grade construction, any concrete slab between the conditioned and unconditioned space must

be thermally isolated with a minimum R5 thermal break. The thermal values for complete slab-on-grade

construction must meet or exceed current Wisconsin UDC requirements SPS 322.33 - Slab Floors.

Rationale: This measure reduces heat loss and increases comfort.

Verification: Visual verification during site visit 1.

7. Whole-House Ventilation

Description: A mechanical ventilation system ducted to the outdoors must be installed to provide whole-

house ventilation, compliant with current ASHRAE 62.2 Standard and New Homes Program

requirements.

A bathroom exhaust fan can be used to satisfy the whole-house ventilation standard. If this is the

chosen method of whole-house ventilation, the control device operating the fan must be

appropriately labeled (a simple label identifying the appropriate control device/switch fulfills this

requirement).

Dual-function bathroom fans with built-in override switching capability also satisfy the intent of

this standard.

Ventilation fans with a sone rating of one or less are highly recommended.

When a balanced ventilation system is used (HRV/ERV) it becomes, by default, the whole-house

ventilation device.

The whole-house ventilation requirement will be updated in a pending release of version 15.0 of the

REM/Rate® energy modeling software to comply with the current ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standard.

REM/Rate Version 15.0 is tentatively scheduled for release on July 1, 2016. In most cases the

ventilation requirement will increase significantly. Homes certified in the Program after June 30, 2016

must meet the new ventilation standard.


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Rationale: Whole-house ventilation ensures adequate indoor air quality management, resulting in

improved home durability and comfort.


8. Spot Ventilation for Bathrooms with a Tub or Shower

Description: An exhaust ventilation system ducted to the outdoors must be installed in any bathroom

with a tub or shower.

Exhaust fan: Minimum tested flow of 50 cfm.

~ or ~

Central exhaust systems: Minimum tested flow of 20 cfm continuous flow, with 50 cfm boost

capacity at each pick-up.

~ or ~

Whole-house ventilation systems also providing spot ventilation: Minimum tested flow of 20 cfm

continuous flow with 50 cfm boost capacity at each pick-up.

An appropriately-sized bathroom exhaust fan can be used to satisfy the whole-house ventilation

standard. If this is the chosen method of whole-house ventilation, the control device operating

the fan must be appropriately labeled. A simple label identifying the appropriate control

device/switch meets this requirement. Dual-function bathroom fans with built-in override

switching capability also satisfy the intent of this standard. Ventilation fans with a sone rating of

one or less are highly recommended.

Rationale: Spot ventilation removes moisture-laden air from the home at its source, providing adequate

indoor air quality management, home durability, and comfort.


9. Spot Ventilation for Gas and Electric Ranges

Description: An exhaust system ducted to the outdoors must be installed.

Gas cooktops: A range hood or microwave exhaust system with a minimum rated capacity of 100

cfm.

Electric cooktops: A range hood or microwave exhaust system with a minimum rated capacity of

100 cfm, or a central system with a minimum tested flow of 20 cfm continuous flow with a pick-

up and control switch located in the kitchen.

Cooktops with downdraft ventilation with a capacity of 100 cfm meet the requirements of this

standard.

Rationale: Spot ventilation removes moisture-laden air and odors from the home at their source,

ensuring adequate indoor air quality management, home durability, comfort, and safety.



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10. Space Heating and Water Heating System Design

Description:

Any fuel-burning, forced-air space heating system must be closed combustion design with the

piping for combustion and exhaust air connected directly to the outdoors.

Any boiler must be either closed combustion or power vent design.

Any natural gas or liquid propane water heating system must be:

o Power vent design with the piping for the exhaust air connected directly to the outdoors.

o Direct vent design (i.e., pipe within a pipe) with the piping for exhaust and combustion air

connected directly to the outdoors.

o Closed combustion design with one pipe for the exhaust and one pipe for combustion air


Electric water heating systems are acceptable, but not recommended, as they substantially

increase water heating cost.

Rationale: This measure facilitates combustion safety by reducing the possibility of backdrafting.


11. Hearth Products

Description:

Any gas fireplace must be direct vent design with the piping for combustion and exhaust air


Any solid fuel-burning fireplace or stove must be closed combustion design, with the piping for

combustion air connected directly to the firebox and the outdoors.

Power-vented pellet stoves must have a depressurization safety shut-off switch.

If a solid fuel-burning fireplace or stove which meeting the requirements above is installed in the

home, a whole-house depressurization test must be conducted. Home depressurization shall not

be greater than -50 Pascals with the largest tested exhaust ventilation device running. If the

home exceeds -50 Pascals, sufficient make-up air must be provided to bring the depressurization

below -50 Pascals.

Atmospherically vented (B-vent) fireplaces or stoves are prohibited.

Rationale: These guidelines facilitate combustion safety by reducing the possibility of backdrafting.

Verification: Visual verification and performance testing during the final site visit.

12. Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Description: Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in any home with combustion equipment or

an attached garage. One (1) battery-operated, plug-in, or hard-wired carbon monoxide detector is

required on each floor with a bedroom. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors are highly

recommended. Refer to section SPS 321.097 of the Wisconsin UDC for additional information.

Rationale: Carbon monoxide detectors are necessary for occupant safety.

Verification: Visual verification during the final site visit.


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13. Insulated and Air-sealed Attic Access Hatch

Description: Any attic access hatch located in the conditioned space must be insulated to a minimum

R20. The insulation must be permanently attached to the hatch and a perimeter edge gasket must be

installed. Note: Access hatches that are painted/caulked in place do not meet the requirements of this

Standard.

Rationale: This measure increases air-tightness, reducing heat loss in the home while improving comfort.

Verification: Visual verification during the final site visit.

14. Duct Testing

Description: Duct testing per ASHRAE Standard 152-Annex A and B is required when an air handler or

any ductwork is located outside the conditioned space. The limit for duct leakage to the outdoors shall

not exceed five cfm per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area.

Rationale: Duct testing plays a role in increasing the home’s level of comfort and energy efficiency.

Verification: Duct blaster testing during the final site visit.

Performance Incentives

Builders who construct homes which meet specified levels of energy efficiency are eligible to receive

financial incentives through the Program. Performance levels are based on the home’s estimated annual

energy consumption, compared to the same home were it built to current Wisconsin UDC. Program

incentives are awarded to the builder of the home only. Incentives are available on a first-come, first-served

basis, and amounts are subject to change without notice.

Homeowner Eligibility: Homeowners are eligible to receive performance incentives only if they served as the

general contractor—meaning they hired and managed the subcontractors who built their home.

Determining Incentives: Builders are eligible for one of two incentive eligibility categories (A or B), the

amounts of which are described within this document. The categories are based on the home’s fuel sources

and whether the utility/utilities that supply the energy participate in the Focus on Energy New Homes

Program.


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Table 1. Incentives and Eligibility:

*Natural Gas available but not used as the primary space heating fuel source

Level Performance Incentives Amount

1 15% - 24.9% better than code $150


3 35% - 44.9% better than code $1,100

4 45% - 100% better than code $1,600

Level Performance Incentives Amount




4 45% - 100% better than code $350

Number

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Building Shell - Above Grade Wall Cavity Insulation

Space Heating - Air Source Heat Pump

Space Heating - Gas Boiler (95% AFUE or greater)

Water Heating - Gas Boiler Indirect / Side Arm Tank

Water Heating - Tankless (0.90 EF or greater)

Water Heating - Storage Power Vented (≤55 Gallons = ≥0.67. EF >55 gallons = ≥ 0.77)

Water Heating - Storage Condensing (90% TE or greater)

Incentive Eligibil ity Type

Utility Service From Focus on Energy Participating Utility(s) A BNatural Gas and Electric X

Any 4 required

Natural Gas and Electric* XNatural Gas only XElectric only X

Incentive Eligibil ity A (Gas and Electric)

Technology Packages

None required

Any 2 required

Any 3 required

Technology Packages

Space Heating - Furnace with ECM (Min 95% AFUE - Natural Gas) (Min 90% AFUE - Propane)

Incentive Eligibil ity B (Electric Only)

Technology Packages

None required

Any 2 required

Any 3 required

Any 4 required

Lighting - ENERGY STAR®

Qualified Light Bulbs

Lighting - ENERGY STAR®

Qualified Light Fixtures

Building Shell - Energy Efficient Windows

Building Shell - Exterior Above Grade Wall Insulation (R5 or Greater)

Building Shell - Rim and Band Joist Spray Foam Insulation


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Technology Package Descriptions

Package 1. Lighting – ENERGY STAR® Qualified Light Bulbs

All light bulbs in the home shall be ENERGY STAR Qualified Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and/or

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Includes bulbs in exterior fixtures that are permanently attached to the home.

Excludes decorative, accent, or task lighting.

Homes receiving electricity from a non-participating electric utility cannot claim this technology package.

Verification: Field verified. Bulb types must be confirmed on ENERGY STAR’s website using model numbers

obtained from builder invoice or bill of lading.

Package 2. Lighting – ENERGY STAR® Qualified Light Fixtures

All interior and exterior hard wired light fixtures shall be ENERGY STAR Qualified.

Includes LED fixtures.

Homes receiving electricity from a non-participating electric utility cannot claim this technology package.

Verification: Field verified. Fixture types must be confirmed on ENERGY STAR’s website using model

numbers obtained from builder invoice or bill of lading.

Package 3. Building Shell – Energy-efficient Windows

All windows located in above-grade walls shall have a U-Value of 0.24 or less.

Includes egress windows located in any wall.

Excludes windows located in doors, foundation walls, or garages.

Verification: Field verified. National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) window sticker.

Package 4. Building Shell – Exterior Above-grade Wall Insulation

R5 or greater rigid foam insulation must be installed on all above-grade walls.

Homes with a combination of rigid foam over oriented strand board (OSB) corner bracing are eligible.

Insulated concrete form (ICF) and structural insulated panel (SIP) construction types qualify for this

package.

Verification: Field verified.

Package 5. Building Shell – Rim and Band Joist Spray Foam Insulation

All rim and band joists shall be insulated and air sealed with a minimum average of three (3) inches of

closed cell spray foam.

Full height (below and above grade walls) insulated concrete form (ICF) and structural insulated panel

(SIP) construction types qualify for this package.



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Package 6. Space Heating–System – Furnace with ECM motor

Natural gas or liquid propane.

Minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE): 95%–natural gas, 90%–liquid propane.

Primary space heating fuel source.

Multi-stage burner.

Closed combustion unit.

Electronically commutated motor (ECM) verified on Air conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute

(AHRI) website.


Package 7. Space Heating – Natural Gas Boiler

Minimum AFUE of 95%.

Primary space heating fuel source.

Input capacity of less than 300 MBH (Thousand British Thermal Units per Hour).

Closed combustion unit.

Modulating burner.

Integrated outdoor-air reset control.

Dual function systems (such as the AO Smith Vertex water heater or Navian’s Combi Unit Boiler)

designed to supply domestic hot water and space heating are eligible for this technology package.


Package 8. Water Heating – Natural Gas Boiler Indirect / Side Arm or Internal Tank

Whole-house system capable of supplying the entire domestic hot water demand.



Liquid propane water heaters are not eligible.


Package 9. Water Heating – Natural Gas Tankless/On-Demand/Instant

Energy Factor (EF) of 0.90 or greater.

Power vented, direct vented, or closed combustion.

Units with an internal storage tank qualify.







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Package 10. Water Heating– Natural Gas Storage

Energy Factor (EF) of 0.67 or greater for 55 gallon units or less. (≤55 Gallons = ≥0.67.)

Energy Factor (EF) of 0.77 or greater for units larger than 55 gallons. (>55 gallons = ≥ 0.77)

Power vented, direct vented, or closed combustion.

Storage/tank-type water heater.






Package 11. Water Heating– Natural Gas Storage - Condensing

Thermal Efficiency (TE) of 90% or greater.

Must be a whole-house system capable of supplying the entire domestic hot water demand.





Package 12. Building Shell – Above-grade Wall Cavity Insulation

All above-grade wall cavities must be insulated with any of the following:

o Blown-in blanket (BIBs) fiberglass or cellulose.

o Wall spray fiberglass or cellulose.

o Closed cell foam.

o Combination of closed cell foam with fiberglass or cellulose.


Package 13. Space Heating – Air Source Heat Pump

Minimum of 16 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER).

Minimum of 8.4 Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF).

Primary heating source for the home's living space.

Limited to customers of participating utilities who do not have access to natural gas.

Mini-split or ductless units do not qualify.



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APPENDIX A: Renewable Energy Program

Eligibility

Builders of Focus on Energy Certified New Homes are eligible to receive Renewable Energy Program

incentives. The incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis and MUST BE RESERVED by the

Building Performance Consultant (BPC) after Site Visit 1. Incentives are subject to change without notice.

When a home includes a renewable energy system:

Step 1. The BPC completes the first site visit and submits the appropriate paperwork to reserve funds.

Step 2. The BPC completes the final site visit, verifying that the system has been installed and meets all

Program requirements. The BPC submits completed paperwork.

Step 3. After a quality assurance check of the paperwork, the project is submitted for payment processing. If

the paperwork is not accurate, or is missing information, it is sent back to the BPC for correction.

Step 4. The renewable energy incentive amount is added to the core Program incentive and one (1) check is

mailed to the builder.

Eligible Renewable Energy Systems

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Incentive: $650

Requirements:

Must be the home’s primary space heating and cooling source.

Must be listed on the Focus on Energy Pre-qualified Geothermal Heat Pump List.

System must have an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) rating equal to or greater than 15 and a Coefficient

of Performance (COP) equal to or greater than 3.5.

System must be AHRI rated.

System must have a multi-stage compressor.

Any system with an air handler must have an electronically commutated motor (ECM).

Not eligible if natural gas is available but not used as the primary space heating fuel source.

Solar Electric (PV)

Incentive: Up to $2,400 (based on the size of the system)

Requirements:

Eligible models must be selected from the qualified product list found at:

http://gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/pv_modules.php

Eligible inverters must be selected from the qualified project list found at:

http://gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/inverters.php

System capacity must be 0.5 kWDC or greater

http://gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/pv_modules.php

http://gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/inverters.php


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Updates

All Pages

Updated revision number

Wording and formatting

Updated release date

Page 1

Added Program mission statement

Program Standards (Pages 2-6)

Standard 1. Energy Efficiency Requirement

o Changed the minimum percent better that code value from 10 percent to 15 percent

o Added a statement indicating that homes with any negative energy savings values, as

calculated by REM/Rate, cannot be certified

Standard 5. Full Coverage Foundation Insulation

o Removed the minimum requirement of R5

Standard 7. Whole House Ventilation

o Added information regarding the updated ASHRAE ventilation standard

Incentive and Eligibility Table (Page 7)

Added a footnote to the Incentive Eligibility Type

Updated Incentive Eligibility tables A and B

o Increased the Performance Incentive level ranges by 5 percent

o Increased level 4 incentive of type B form $1,300 to $1,600

Technology Package Descriptions (Pages 8-10)

Omit Electric water heater option (Formerly No. 12)

Omit De-activated Package (Formerly No. 13)

Omit ENERGY STAR Ventilation Products package (formerly No. 14)

Re-number packages

Package 9. Water Heating Tankless

o Increased the EF from 0.82 to 0.90

Package 10. Water Heating Storage

o Added EF categories

≥0.67 EF for units ≤55 Gallons

≥ 0.77 EF for units >55 gallons

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