Connecticut Residential Building Codes Going Green.
On the books for Connecticut is to this fall of 2011 is to adapt the 2009 
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) into the State Building Code. The 2009 IECC contains several major improvements in energy efficiency over the current 2006 IECC state code.
The most notable changes will improve the duct sealing of HVAC systems and efficient lighting requirements. The code will apply to single family housing and multi-family housing three stories or less for new construction, additions, alterations, renovations and repairs.
The primary zone 5 building envelope requirements for all Connecticut residential buildings in the 2009 IECC are:
- R-38 Ceilings
- U-0.35 Windows and Doors
- R-20 Walls
- R-30 Floors
- R-10 Foundations
Notable requirements in the 2009 IECC:
- Building envelope must be caulked and sealed.
- Slab-on-grade insulation is R-10 to a depth of 2 feet.
- Supply ducts in attics must be insulated to R-8. Return ducts in attics and all ducts in crawlspaces, unheated basements, garages, or otherwise outside building envelope must be insulated to R-6.
- All ducts must be sealed and either:
- Verified by pressure testing - the duct system has to be tested and the air leakage out of ducts must be kept to an acceptable maximum level.
- Installed entirely within the building thermal envelope - testing is not required if all ducts are inside the building thermal envelope (for example in heated basements), though the ducts still have to be sealed.
- Piping for hydronic (boiler) heating systems must be insulated to R-3.
- Although vapor barriers are not required by the IECC, the I-codes do set wall vapor barriers requirements in Section R601.3 of the 2009 IRC, and vapor barriers are required in Zone 5.
- Less insulation is allowed for mass walls and more insulation is required for steel framing.
- 50% of the lighting "lamps" (bulbs, tubes, etc.) in a building must be highly efficient. Compact fluorescents qualify, standard incandescent bulbs do not.
- Standard I-code administrative requirements (inspections, documentation) apply.
- A certificate must be posted near the electrical panel listing insulation levels and other energy efficiency measures.
Exemptions/Allowances from prescriptive measures:
- One door and 15 ft2of window area are exempt
- Skylight U-factors are allowed to be U-0.60
- 500 ft2or 20% of ceiling area of cathedral ceiling, whichever is less, is allowed to have R-30 insulation
David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien.
A resident of Fairfield County for over 40 years with 30 years of work experience throughout lower Fairfield County and now resides in Darien, Ct since 2004.
- NAR Green designee.
- David Popoff is an accredited LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) Homes and USGBC member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).
- Associate member and an accredited Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the local chapter HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
- Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, CAR.
- Member of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.
- Member of the Darien MLS, Greenwich MLS & Greater Fairfield County, Ct MLS.
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