Residential Energy Inspection Checklist
The following are a list of requirements that must be complied with
to be compliant with the Dallas Energy Code. Most Energy Code
requirements are prescriptive however there are provisions for trade
offs using the Performance Path to Compliance. This requires a Building
Energy Analysis to gather enough data to provide for energy tradeoffs
using computer software. The Building Energy Analysis is a useful
option to limit construction cost or solve a compliance problem. There
is an additional fee for this service.
Requirements
- Inspection Schedule
IECC 105.2 Required
Approvals
The city of Dallas requires a finish frame inspection after
the wall insulation is installed and before the sheetrock is
installed. They also require a final insulation inspection after the
ceiling insulation and mechanical HVAC equipment is installed. The
energy certification is required by the City of Dallas Building
Department before the final Electrical inspection is approved.
- Ceiling Insulation
IECC 102.1.1.1 Marker
installation
Fiberglass or cellulose insulation must have thickness markers
installed every 300 square feet in the attic space. These markers
shall be be written in inches and face towards the attic access
opening
- Climate Zone
IECC 301.2(1) Warm
Humid Counties for Texas
The City of Dallas in conjunction with the North Texas Council of
Governments (NTCOG) has designated the Dallas / Ft Worth Metroplex
area as a Zone 3.2 designation
- Insulation and Fenestration criteria
IECC 402.1.1 General Prescriptive
criteria
This section establishes various criteria based on a ratio of window
glazing area to wall surface area. The different criteria ratios are
15%, 20%, 25% and 30% or more . The more window glazing areas
require a higher wall and ceiling insulation value and lower
U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). This section also
allows a limited area of cathedral ceiling insulation values to be
decreased if other areas have increased insulation values. Pier and
beam crawl space floor requires R-19 insulation values.
- Air Leakage
IECC 402.4.1 Building Thermal Envelope
The building thermal envelope will be durably sealed to limit air
infiltration with caulk, gaskets, weather stripping or an air
barrier material.
- Air Leakage
IECC 402.4.2 Recessed Lighting
IC-rated enclosures that are sealed and gasketed to prevent air
leakage from the living area to the attic area are to be used. Non
IC-rated enclosures will need an airtight sealed box with clearance
of at least .5 inches from combustion able materials and 3 inches
from insulation.
- Mechanical Systems - Mandatory
IECC 403.2 HVAC Ducts
All HVAC supply and return ducts will be insulated to R-8 if they
are located outside the building thermal envelope. R-6 ducts are
allowed in floor trusses. R-6 insulated ducts are allowed outside
the building thermal envelope if the air conditioning equipment is
upgrade 1 SEER point above the minimum acceptable value (currently
SEER 13).
- Mechanical Systems - Mandatory
IECC 403.2.2 Duct Sealing
All duct joints and seams, air handlers and filter boxes will
be sealed with mastic.
- Mechanical Systems - Mandatory
IECC 403.2.3 Building Cavities
Building cavities will not be used as supply ducts.
- Mechanical Systems - Mandatory
IECC 403.3 Mechanical System piping
insulation
Mechanical system piping that is capable of carrying fluids above
105 degrees or below 55 degrees will be insulated to at least R-2.
- Mechanical Systems - Mandatory
IECC 403.4 Circulating Water Systems
All circulating service hot water piping will be insulated to at
least R-2.
