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Requirements
Prerequisites
2.1 Basic insulation. Meet all the following requirements:- Install insulation that meets or exceeds the R-value requirements listed in Chapter 4 of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. Alternative wall and insulation systems, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulated concrete forms (ICFs), must demonstrate a comparable Rvalue, but thermal mass or infiltration effects cannot be included in the R-value calculation.
- Install insulation to meet the Grade II specifications set by the National Home Energy Rating Standards (Table 1). Installation must be verified by an qualified qualified energy rater or Verification Team conducting a predrywall thermal bypass inspection, as summarized in Figure 1.
Credits
2.2 Enhanced insulation (2 points). Meet the following requirements:- Install insulation that exceeds the R-value requirements listed in Chapter 4 of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code by at least 5%. Alternative wall and insulation systems, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulated concrete forms (ICFs), must demonstrate a comparable R-value, but thermal mass or infiltration effects cannot be included in the R-value calculation.
- Install insulation to meet the Grade I specifications set by the National Home Energy Rating Standards (Table 1). Installation must be verified by an qualified energy rater or Verification Team conducting a predrywall thermal bypass inspection as summarized in Figure 1.
Table 1 Summary of HERS Installation Guides
Grade |
Description |
|---|---|
I |
Meet the requirements of Grade II (below), but allow only very small gaps, and compression or incomplete fill amounts to 2% or less. |
II |
Moderate to frequent installation defects, gaps around wiring, electric outlets, etc. and incomplete fill amounts to 10% of less. Gaps running clear through the insulation amount to no more than 2% of the total surface area covered by the insulation. Wall insulation is enclosed on all six sides and in substantial contact with the sheathing material on at least one side (interior or exterior) of the cavity. |
Figure 1 ENERGY STAR Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist
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Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
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LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Prerequisites
2.1 Basic insulation. Meet all the following requirements:- Install insulation that meets or exceeds the R-value requirements listed in Chapter 4 of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. Alternative wall and insulation systems, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulated concrete forms (ICFs), must demonstrate a comparable Rvalue, but thermal mass or infiltration effects cannot be included in the R-value calculation.
- Install insulation to meet the Grade II specifications set by the National Home Energy Rating Standards (Table 1). Installation must be verified by an qualified qualified energy rater or Verification Team conducting a predrywall thermal bypass inspection, as summarized in Figure 1.
Credits
2.2 Enhanced insulation (2 points). Meet the following requirements:- Install insulation that exceeds the R-value requirements listed in Chapter 4 of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code by at least 5%. Alternative wall and insulation systems, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulated concrete forms (ICFs), must demonstrate a comparable R-value, but thermal mass or infiltration effects cannot be included in the R-value calculation.
- Install insulation to meet the Grade I specifications set by the National Home Energy Rating Standards (Table 1). Installation must be verified by an qualified energy rater or Verification Team conducting a predrywall thermal bypass inspection as summarized in Figure 1.
Table 1 Summary of HERS Installation Guides
Grade |
Description |
|---|---|
I |
Meet the requirements of Grade II (below), but allow only very small gaps, and compression or incomplete fill amounts to 2% or less. |
II |
Moderate to frequent installation defects, gaps around wiring, electric outlets, etc. and incomplete fill amounts to 10% of less. Gaps running clear through the insulation amount to no more than 2% of the total surface area covered by the insulation. Wall insulation is enclosed on all six sides and in substantial contact with the sheathing material on at least one side (interior or exterior) of the cavity. |
