NEEDED 2010 ENERGY CODE FIXES: Public Comment

403.1 Controls ~~(Mandatory).~~ ~~At least one thermostat shall be provided for each separate heating and cooling system.~~

403.1.1 Thermostat Provision (Mandatory). At least one thermostat shall be provided for each separate heating and cooling system.

403.1.1 2 Programmable thermostat (Prescriptive). Where the primary heating system is a forced-air furnace, at least one thermostat per dwelling unit shall be capable of controlling the heating and cooling system on a daily schedule to maintain different temperature set points at different times of the day. This thermostat shall include the capability to set back or temporarily operate the system to maintain zone temperatures down to 55°F (13°C) or up to 85°F (29°C). The thermostat shall initially be programmed with a heating temperature set point no higher than 70°F (21°C) and a cooling temperature set point no lower than 78°F (26°C).

403.1.2 3 Heat pump supplementary heat (Mandatory). Heat pumps having supplementary electric-resistance heat shall have controls that, except during defrost, prevent supplemental heat operation when the heat pump compressor can meet the heating load.

403.1.3 4 Humidity control (Mandatory). Where a humidistat is used for comfort dehumidification, it shall be capable of being set to prevent the use of fossil fuel or electricity to reduce humidities below 60 percent.

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401.2 Compliance. Projects shall comply with Sections 401, 402.4, 402.5, and 403.1.1, 403.1.3, 403.1.4, 403.2.2, 403.2.3, and 403.3 through 403.9 (referred to as the mandatory provisions) and either:

1. Sections 402.1 through 402.3, 403.1.2, 403.2.1 and 404.1 (prescriptive); or

2. Section 405 (performance).

Conflicts within the updated code.

Although Section 403.1, Controls, is labeled as Mandatory, it is unclear whether all control requirements are. Table B-1.1.2(1) allows controls other than programmable thermostats to be used. The proposed language would clarify that programmable thermostats are Prescriptive for compliance by Section 402.1, Compliance, rather than to compliance by Section 405 (performance). Changes are also proposed to Section 401.2 to clarify this conflict of code issue.

Conflicts within the updated code.

Submitted by the Florida Solar Energy Center.

TABLE B-1.1.2(1) [rest of the table remains the same]

SPECIFICATIONS FOR TH ESTANDARD REFERENCE AND PROPOSED DESIGNS

BUILDING COMPONENT

STANDARD REFERENCE DESIGN

PROPOSED DESIGN

Thermostat

Type: Manual

Temperature setpoints

Cooling temperature setpoint = 78⁰F

Heating temperature setpoint = 68^oF

Type: Same as proposed

Temperature setpoints: same as the Standard Reference Design, except when programmable thermostats are used.

Programmable thermostat setpoints:

On weekdays cooling is 78^oF from 3pm to 8:59am and 80^oF from 9am to 2:59pm. On weekends, cooling is 78^oF for 24 hours.

Heating is 68^oF from 6am to 10:59pm and 66^oF from 11 pm to 5:59 am seven days a week.

Conflicts within the updated code.

When Florida’s baseline features were transferred to the FBC-EC, the design features for programmable thermostats contained in the EG USA computer program were not included in Table B-1.1.2(1). EG USA uses the indicated setback schedule to provide consistent credit for use of this device, which should be specified here to provide for consistency among code compliance software programs.

Submitted by the Florida Solar Energy Center.

405.6.6 Installation criteria for homes using the ceiling fan option. The ceiling fan option shall apply a 2% reduction in cooling energy use for the proposed design if one or more ceiling fans are installed in each of the bedrooms and a minimum of one ceiling fan is installed in all primary living areas (living rooms, family rooms, or great rooms). This shall not include spaces designed to be dining rooms or dining areas. Areas separated by permanently fixed archways, walls, or dividers shall be considered separate rooms. The following criteria shall be met:

1. Ceiling fans shall be installed with minimum fan blade diameters of no less than those listed in Table 405.6.5 for the size and shape of the room.

2. Where a primary living area is an "L-shaped" room and the smaller portion of this area is 8 feet by 10 feet (2438 mm by 3048 mm) or larger, a fan shall be installed in both the larger and smaller portions of the primary living area.

Exception: Credit shall not be taken for both ceiling fans and cross ventilation.

TABLE 405.6.6

FAN SIZING TABLE

LONGEST WALL LENGTH (feet)	MINIMUM FAN SIZE (inches)
≤ 12	36
> 12 - 16	48
> 16 - 17.5	52
> 17.5 - 25	56
> 25	2 fans (minimum of 48 inches each)

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

[Renumber section 405.6.6 to 405.6.7 and renumber section 405.6.7 to 405.6.8.]

Unintended results from the integration of previously adopted Florida-specific amendments with the model code. The included language for ceiling fans has been in the energy code for years; it appears to have been unintentionally left out of the 2010 FBC- Energy Conservation.

Submitted by the Florida Solar Energy Center.