Energy Program Comparisons

	2006 International Energy Conservation Code	Built Green® Colorado 2007 Built Green Checklist Tier I[1]	2006 ENERGY STAR National Performance Path Requirements	2006 ENERGY STAR National Builder Option Package (BOP)	USGBC LEED for Homes V1.9 (in pilot phase until June 07)
Minimum Energy Requirement	If Section 404, Simulated Performance Alternative,  used for compliance Performance a RESNET accredited HERS rating with HERS Index Score ≤ 100   Prescriptive Path follows Table 402.1.1.	Builders are required to choose one of the three methods (items #1, #2 or #3 below) of meeting the Energy Efficiency Minimum Requirement.  Note that item #2 requires a higher level of testing than required by the program’s random verification process, and that item #3, energy star®, exceeds the “minimum” requirement; hence option #2 and #3 are awarded points while option #1 is not.    Using REScheck, REM-Rate or EnergyGauge software, verify that calculated performance is projected to exceed requirements of Chapter 4, Section 404 (Performance) of the IECC 2006 by at least 15%; in addition, comply with Built Green Checklist Appendix A (requirements of Chapters 3 and 4 of the IECC 2006 not addressed by REScheck, REMRate or EnergyGauge).   OR   RESNET-accredited HERS Rating of 85 points or less when using the expanded HERS “INDEX” score based on the 2006 HERS Reference Home. Homes must commit to this compliance method and be tested on a 15% or higher basis in order to take these points   OR   House meets energy star® criteria by either the Prescriptive or Performance paths as outlined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (Cannot combine with item #2 “RESNET-accredited”)	RESNET-accredited HERS Rating with HERS Index Score ≤ 85 when using the new “INDEX” HERS score with the reference house based on the IECC 2006.	A Builder Option Package (BOP) provides a set of construction specifications that enable a home to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. Although using the BOP negates the need for a custom HERS rating, third-party verification that all BOP requirements have been met is still necessary.	RESNET-accredited HERS Rating with HERS Index Score ≤ 85 when using the new “INDEX” HERS score with the reference house based on the IECC 2004 Supplement.
Space Cooling	Must meet Federal Minimum standard. Currently SEER13 for split residential system.   Section 403.6 (Mandatory) Equipment Sizing. Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in accordance with Section M1403.3 of the IRC.   Section 403.5 (Mandatory) Mechanical Ventilation. (if present) must have automatic or gravity dampers.	Builder has flexibility with the selection of energy-efficiency measures as they pertain to space cooling equipment, with points for higher performance achievable through a variety of available options.  Builder, at a minimum, must meet code.   See Category X of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.   *Note that one option from Category “X: Energy Efficiency: Mechanical Heating & Cooling Systems” is required.	Builder has flexibility with the selection of energy-efficiency measures as they pertain to space cooling equipment.  Builder, at a minimum, must meet code.   All cooling equipment, ENERGY STAR or otherwise, shall be sized according to the latest editions of ACCA Manuals J and S, ASHRAE 200l Handbook of Fundamentals, or an equivalent computation procedure.    Maximum oversizing limit for air conditioners and heat pumps is 15% (with the exception of heat pumps in Climate Zones 5-8, where the maximum oversizing limit is 25%).    Indoor and outdoor coils shall be matched in accordance with ARI standards.	≥ 13 SEER OR ENERGY STAR qualifying heat pump   All cooling equipment, ENERGY STAR or otherwise, shall be sized according to the latest editions of ACCA Manuals J and S, ASHRAE 200l Handbook of Fundamentals or an equivalent computation procedure.  Maximum oversizing limit for air conditioners and heat pumps is 15% (with the exception of heat pumps in Climate Zones 5-8, where the maximum oversizing limit is 25%).    Indoor and outdoor coils shall be matched in accordance with ARI standards.	Meets ENERGY STAR HVAC requirements with refrigerant charge test.   Equipment sizing using ACCA Manual J, 8th Edition.
Space Heating	Right-Sized:   Gas-fired furnace < 225,000 Btu/h = 78% AFUE                            OR Air-cooled heat pumps, Heating mode <65,000 Btu/h cooling capacity=6.6 – 6.8 HSPF                              OR Gas-fired or oil-fired steam and hot-water boilers < 300,000 Btu/h=80% AFUE   HVAC Piping Insulation   Section 403.6 (Mandatory) Equipment Sizing. Heating and cooling equipment shall be sized in accordance with Section M1403.3 of the IRC.   Section 403.5 (Mandatory) Mechanical Ventilation. (if present) must have automatic or gravity dampers.	Builder has flexibility with the selection of energy-efficiency measures as they pertain to the selection of space heating equipment, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options.  Builder, at a minimum, must meet code.   See Category X of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.    *One option from Category “X: Energy Efficiency: Mechanical Heating & Cooling Systems” is required.   Category IX provides points for low-energy cooling.	Builder has flexibility with the selection of energy-efficiency measures as they pertain to the selection of space heating equipment.    Builder, at a minimum, must meet code.	ENERGY STAR qualified gas furnace (≥90% AFUE) OR ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump OR ENERGY STAR qualified boiler OR 85% AFUE oil furnace	Meets ENERGY STAR HVAC requirements with Manual J.
Thermostat	Required (capable of being set locally or remotely by adjustment or selection of sensors).	Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.   See Category X of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.   *One option from Category “X: Energy Efficiency: Mechanical Heating & Cooling Systems” is required.	Builder has flexibility with the selection of thermostats, with code minimum.	ENERGY STAR qualified thermostat (except for zones with radiant heat)
Duct Distribution Systems	Supply and return ducts shall be insulated to R-8.  Ducts in floor trusses (interfacing unconditioned space) shall be insulated to a minimum R-6. Ducts in conditioned space not required to be insulated.   Sealing required.  UL 181A or UL 181B tapes (flex ducts only) and mastics.   Balancing required.   Ducts, air handlers, filter boxes, and, if used, building cavities shall be sealed.	Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.   See Category XI of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.   *One option from Category “XI: Energy Efficiency: HVAC Distribution Systems” is required.	Ducts must be sealed and tested to be   Duct leakage testing can be waived if all ducts and air handling equipment are located in conditioned space AND the envelope leakage has been tested to be ≤ 3 ACH50 OR ≤0.25 CFM50 per s.f. of the building envelope.	Ducts must be sealed and tested to be ≤ 4 cfm to outdoors/100 s.f. of conditioned floor area, as determined and documented by a RESNET-certified rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.    Duct leakage testing can be waived if all ducts and air handling equipment are located in conditioned space AND the envelope leakage has been tested to be ≤ 3 ACH50 OR ≤0.25 CFM50 per s.f. of the building envelope.  Minimum R-6 on ducts in unconditioned spaces.	Third-party duct leakage tested ≤ 4.0 CFM 25/100 s.f. to the outside.  Additional points available for greater system tightness levels.
Envelope	From Table 402.1.1 for Climate Zone 5 ·          Ceiling R-38 ·          Wall R-19 (or 13+ 5) or 13+ 2 with structural sheathing ·          Floor R-30 (or insulation sufficient to fill the cavity, R-19 minimum) ·          Basement wall R-10/13 ·          Slab perimeter and depth, R-10, 2 ft ·          Crawl R-10/13   Flexibility of envelope requirements if Section 404 is used as the compliance path. Also 13+5, 13+2 structural  sheathing not required in Section 404.   Ceiling R-30, 500 ft2, if ceiling cavity cannot support R-38.	Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.   See Category VII of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.	Flexibility, with the ability to achieve higher aggregate energy savings through a variety of energy-efficiency measures, with code minimum.	Insulation levels must meet or exceed Sections N1102.1and N1102.2 of the 2004 IRC (as they apply to Climate Zone 5 only): ·          Ceiling R-38 ·          Wall R-19 or R-13+5 ·          Floor R-30 ·          Basement wall R-10/13 ·          Slab perimeter and depth R-10, 2 ft. ·          Crawlspace R-10/13   Insulation shall be inspected to be Grade I installation as defined in the RESNET standards by a RESNET-certified rater.	Third-party envelope air leakage tested at ≤ 7.0 CFM 50 (CZ1-5).
Air Sealing	Caulking/Sealing: ·          Around tubs and showers ·          Attic and crawlspace panels ·          Plumbing and electrical penetrations ·          Between duct boot and subfloor ·          Around perimeter joist between floors ·          Around chimneys and flue chases that pass through the attic ·          Exterior penetrations	Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.   See Category VII of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.	Compliance with Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist.	Compliance with the Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist.	Compliance with the Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist.
Windows	Maximum U-factor ≤ 0.35.	Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.     See Category VIII of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.	Flexibility, with the ability to achieve higher aggregate energy savings, with code minimum.	ENERGY STAR qualified windows or better (U-factor ≤ 0.35).  For homes with a WFA > 18%, an improved window U-value is required.	Meets ENERGY STAR for windows.
Water Heater	Gas: Any Gas >/= 0.62 EF minus 0.0019V (storage volume in gallons as specified by the manufacturer).   Meets minimum requirements for the current National Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) of 1987.	Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.   See Category XIV of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.	Flexibility, with the ability to achieve higher aggregate energy savings, with code minimum.	Gas: 0.61 EF (40 gal), 0.57 EF (60 gal), 0.53 EF (80 gal) Electric: 0.93 EF (40 gal), 0.92 EF (50 gal), 0.89 (80 gal)[2]	Flexibility, with points awarded for improved hot water distribution systems and improved hot water heating equipment.
Lighting & Appliances		Flexibility, with points for higher performance achieved through a variety of available options, with code minimum.   See Categories XV and XVI of the BUILT GREEN® CHECKLIST for available options.   *One option from Category “SVI: Energy Efficiency: Lighting” is required.	See below.	5 or more ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, light fixtures, ceiling fans equipped with lighting fixtures, and/or ventilation fans.	3 ENERGY STAR light fixtures or ENERGY STAR CFLs
ENERGY STAR Products		Builder has flexibility with the selection of ENERGY STAR labeled products.  Use of ENERGY STAR labeled products is awarded points.	Include at least 1 ENERGY STAR Qualified Product Category:   Heating or cooling equipment: OR Windows; OR Five or more ENERGY STAR qualified lights fixtures, appliances, ceiling fans equipped with lighting fixtures, or ventilation fans.   No more than 20% of sockets can use CFLs to increase HERS Index Score to qualify as ENERGY STAR.		Builder has flexibility with the selection of ENERGY STAR labeled products.  Use of ENERGY STAR labeled products is awarded points.

Testing & Verification Requirements

	City of Aurora Article IX. Energy Efficiency & Construction Renovation Standards Model Energy Code 1989 Edition Chapter 6: Building Design by Acceptable Practice	2006 International Energy Conservation Code	Built Green® Colorado 2007 Built Green Checklist Tier I[3]	2006 ENERGY STAR National Performance Path Requirements	2006 ENERGY STAR National Builder Option Package (BOP)	Masco Contractor Services, Inc. Environments for Living® Gold/Platinum/Diamond Level Homes	USGBC LEED for Homes V1.73 (in pilot phase until June 07)
Minimum Energy Requirement			Builders are required to choose one of the three methods (items #1, #2 or #3 below) of meeting the Energy Efficiency Minimum Requirement.  Note that item #2 requires a higher level of testing than required by the program’s random verification process, and that item #3, energy star®, exceeds the “minimum” requirement; hence option #2 and #3 are awarded points while option #1 is not.    Using REScheck, REM-Rate or EnergyGauge software, verify that calculated performance is projected to exceed requirements of Chapter 4, Section 404 (Performance) of the IECC 2006 by at least 15%; in addition, comply with Built Green Checklist Appendix A (requirements of Chapters 3 and 4 of the IECC 2006 not addressed by REScheck, REMRate or EnergyGauge).   OR   RESNET-accredited HERS Rating of 85 points or less when using the expanded HERS “INDEX” score based on the 2006 HERS Reference Home. Homes must commit to this compliance method and be tested on a 15% or higher basis in order to take these points   OR   House meets energy star® criteria by either the Prescriptive or Performance paths as outlined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (Cannot combine with item #2 “RESNET-accredited”).	RESNET-accredited HERS Rating with HERS Index Score ≤ 85 when using the new “INDEX” HERS score with the reference house based on the IECC 2006.		Gold: Meets ENERGY STAR   Platinum: Meets ENERGY STAR and Building America   Diamond: Meets ENERGY STAR, Building America and qualifies for federal tax credit of $2,000	RESNET-accredited HERS Rating with HERS Index Score ≤ 85 when using the new “INDEX” HERS score with the reference house based on the IECC 2004 Supplement.
Random Sampling Protocols			5% of homes randomly tested and third-party verified for compliance on an annual basis by a certified HERS energy rater using HERS testing protocols, visual inspection and documentation.   If either the HERS Index Score or ENERGY STAR are the means of demonstrating compliance with the energy requirement, sampling requirements are higher.	15% of homes must be randomly tested and third-party verified for compliance on an annual basis by a certified HERS energy raters using HERS testing protocols, visual inspection and documentation.  [4]	15% of homes must be tested and verified on an annual basis.	The first two production homes of each plan within a subdivision will be tested and inspected for compliance with the Program Requirements.  At least 15% of all homes in the subdivision will be tested and inspected for compliance with the Program Requirements.	For production builders, 15% of homes must be randomly tested and third-party verified for compliance on an annual basis by a certified HERS energy raters using HERS testing protocols, visual inspection and documentation.
Construction Specification Verification			Must accumulate a minimum of 75 points from the Built Green Checklist for qualification as Built Green home.     Supporting documentation required where visual inspection or diagnostic testing is not applicable.  Builders are required to select at least one option from indicated categories.	Flexibility.   Energy-efficiency measures selected by builder must result in an aggregate HERS Index Score of ≤ 85.	The requirements for the Builder Option Package (BOP) are specified in the table above.	Energy-efficiency measures selected by builder must result in a HERS Index Score of ≤ 85.	Must accumulate a minimum of 30 points from the LEED for Homes Checklist for the minimum LEED for Homes certification level.
Insulation Inspection			Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.	Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.	Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.	Visual inspection required.	Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.
Thermal Bypass Inspection			Majority, but not all, of thermal bypass inspection contained within the insulation inspection.	Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.[5]	Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.	Majority, but not all, of thermal bypass inspection contained within the insulation inspection.	Visual inspection required by RESNET-accredited HERS Rater.
Envelope Leakage			Envelope leakage and building airtightness levels must be determined by a RESNET-accredited HERS Rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.	Envelope leakage and building airtightness levels must be determined by a RESNET-accredited HERS Rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.	Envelope leakage and building airtightness levels must be determined by a RESNET-accredited HERS Rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.	Homes will be tested for airtightness using a blower door test rig and meet the Program Requirements for the level of participation:   Gold:  ≤ 0.35 cfm/s.f. of envelope area at 50 Pa   Platinum: ≤ 0.25 cfm/s.f. of envelope area at 50 Pa	Envelope leakage and building airtightness levels must be determined by a RESNET-accredited HERS Rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.
Duct Leakage			Duct leakage testing is required if builders is awarded points showing duct leakage does not exceed 10% of design flow.	Duct leakage testing and verification must be determined and documented by a RESNET-certified rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.  Duct leakage testing can be waived in certain circumstances.	Duct leakage testing and verification must be determined and documented by a RESNET-certified rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.  Duct leakage testing can be waived in certain circumstances.	Homes shall be measured with a duct test rig using the test protocol described in the Environment’s for Living program’s Testing Protocol.	Duct leakage testing and verification must be determined and documented by a RESNET-certified rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.  Duct leakage testing can be waived in certain circumstances.