We are working on a project that has to comply with IECC 2018 in order to meet the city’s energy code requirements.
We noticed that 90.1-2010 has a mandatory requirement (under EAp2/EAc1) regarding receptacle auto shut-off controls, while we realized that IECC 2018 does not.
The project is already at the end of the CD phase, and adding receptacle controls at this stage will require a major re-design and added cost, that we would prefer to avoid if we can.
Is anyone aware if there is any provision (or alternative compliance path) that we could follow on this matter?
For example, can we follow a similar approach to the linked LEED Interpretation, where we can meet all the mandatory requirements of IECC or 90.1? https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10488
We understand that IECC 2018 is far more stringent overall than 90.1-2010, and by complying with the code (IECC), the project exceeds the performance requirements of the standard (90.1), but wanted to have more clarity on how we should treat the receptacle controls requirement which seems to be not inclusive between IECC and 90.1.
Your feedback is much appreciated!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
June 12, 2020 - 1:49 pm
I believe that this is the applicable LEED Interpretation to apply - https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10462
Waleed AlGhamdi
Sustainability EnablerEskew+Dumez+Ripple
18 thumbs up
June 12, 2020 - 4:59 pm
I believe that one of the main reasons jurisdictions opt for IECC and not ASHRAE 90.1 is the receptacle control requirement. Although IECC 2018 is based on ASHRAE 90.1 2016 -more or less- they do have some differences in some details (air infiltration requirements being another one).
Cindy Quinn
PrincipalEcological Environments, LLC
15 thumbs up
June 12, 2020 - 6:59 pm
Thanks for your replies - this helps a lot!
Gabriela Crespo
Senior Energy AnalystBrightworks Sustainability
1 thumbs up
January 5, 2022 - 2:40 pm
Following up on this chain, is there any interpretation that might address projects pursuing prescriptive path? Thanks!
Jamy Bacchus
Associate PrincipalME Engineers
20 thumbs up
January 5, 2022 - 5:46 pm
Hi Gabriela.
Certainly ask Josh if he is aware of any nuances around Section 8.4.2 Automatic Recpatcle Control per 90.1-2010, but I'm not aware of any.
The prescripitve paths such as Option 2 & 3 still require mandatory measures from 90.1-2010. And then if you dive into 50% AEDG, it too has plug load controls. I haven't looked at the outdated Core Performance Guide in some time.
There's a newer NBI replacement for the tue Core Performance Guide--The Advanced Buildings New Construction Guide. And there's a pilot credit EApc92 which allows for this newer document. But there are no exemptions for the mandatory provisions in 90.1. But of note is that it puts plug load controls in Tier 3, which roughly implies if you are meeting the Tier 2 requiements, you're achieving 25-35% better than 90.1-2007 if you stop there.
I will note I remain unconvinced of the ~20% modeled savings in PNNL studies on plug load control efficacy. Yes, I agree if you model it that way, it will demonstrate savings, but I haven't seen field studies to back up that reduction. If switched receptacles are merely ignored, then you're better off focusing on EnergyStar-labeled equipment and putting them into low power settings.
I'll stop there, before I start on about IECC C406 measures and scoring.
Cheers,
Jamy