What are the IECC Codes? | Koala Insulation

Understanding the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code

Are you familiar with the newest edition of the International Energy Conservation Code—the 2021 IECC? Not all homeowners and business owners are aware of these codes. With building codes always changing in an effort to improve building performance, staying on top of these changes can feel daunting.

In this short and sweet guide, our team at Koala Insulation of South Kansas City has outlined a few key points within this new IECC and outlined how you can meet—or even exceed—these minimum standards with help from a team of Kansas City insulation experts.

What Is The International Energy Conservation Code?

The International Energy Conservation Code, commonly abbreviated as 'IECC,' is the model energy code for achieving minimum energy efficiency requirements in residential buildings and commercial buildings throughout the world. Outlined in this code are minimum benchmarks for these following components of a new building:

• Air leakage
• Doors
• Windows
• Lighting
• Ceilings
• Walls
• Floors
• Attics

In the United States, each state, city, or municipality has there own codes adopted from a version of the IECC.  Some locations are slow to adopt new IECC codes while others are already adopting the latest IECC codes.  Adoption of the IECC is voluntary, and while the 2021 IECC has not yet been officially adopted in Kansas City, we are headed that direction fast.  It can still be helpful to know what the benchmarks are for current energy efficiency standards, especially if you’re planning to upgrade your home’s insulation to ensure it’s fully up to code should the IECC be adopted in your community.

By improving energy efficiency levels in new buildings, the IECC also improves the affordability of homes. As we work towards a future that is not reliant on fossil fuels and instead utilizes renewable energy, energy prices are constantly rising. Greater building energy efficiency is almost always correlated with a noticeable reduction in energy bills of occupants.

How Did The IECC Change In 2021?

This model code is regularly kept up to date with changes in building technologies, with changes in some years resulting in major energy efficiency improvements for properties. Compared to the 2006 IECC, the 2012 IECC made an impressive jump of over 30% in energy efficiency. The following two iterations made infinitesimal progress, but the 2021 IECC has made some worthwhile changes that are expected to result in an increase in energy cost savings of nearly 9% compared with the previous edition in 2018.

Though each jurisdiction is permitted to make amendments to the IECC based on unique geographic and climatic conditions, the IECC divides areas into climate zones. Kansas City is situated within Zone 4. In the latest edition of the IECC, the following changes and additions have been made for Zone 4 residential properties:

• Exterior outlet boxes must be air sealed
• Newly installed ducts must be tested for tightness
• Ceiling insulation and attic insulation have changed from R49 to R60 in Zone 4
• Slab edge insulation in Zone 4 has changed to 4 feet of R-10
• Continuous insulation in walls should meet an R-value of at least R20+5 or R13+10
• Dimmers or motion-sensor lights must be installed with most light fixtures in new buildings

For commercial properties, these following changes are outlined in the 2021 IECC:

• Increase in R-value for insulation in below-grade walls and slab perimeters
• Water heaters must have a thermal efficiency of at least 1,000,000 Btu/h

The climate zone map was also updated in this new edition. Previously, Kansas City was situated on the border of Zone 5. Due to rising global temperatures, part of Zone 5 has been updated to Zone 4, meaning it has a warmer climate than it once did. Kansas City is therefore now situated firmly within Zone 4 territory.

How Can Koala Insulation Help Me Meet The New IECC Guidelines?

At Koala Insulation, we’re leaders in energy efficiency and are fully up to date with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. We can help you with two main aspects of this newly updated code: air sealing and insulation installation.

Air Sealing Services

You know that ventilation is important for maintaining high indoor air quality, but to avoid unwanted conditioned air loss and drafts, ventilation must be controlled. Air will naturally be exchanged every time you open and close your windows and doors, and an active energy-efficient attic ventilation system will ensure ventilation without energy loss.

All other avenues of air leakage should be eliminated. In line with this new IECC, this includes exterior outlet boxes, as well as door frames, window frames, baseboards, plumbing vents, dryer vents and other cracks and crevices.

Our team at Koala Insulation can eliminate air leakage by conducting a blower door test and subsequently air sealing offending areas using spray foam insulation. If you’re lacking active ventilation, we can also install energy efficient solar attic fans.

Insulation Installations

Another key point within the 2021 IECC is an increase in insulation R-value requirements for both residential and commercial properties. All building owners, including business owners, can benefit from topping up their existing insulation to ensure their property is fully energy efficient.

As our name suggests, installing new insulation and retrofitting old insulation setups is what we do best at Koala Insulation. We have the knowledge, training and experience to develop the most energy efficient insulation solution for your building, no matter where you need it.

In addition to spray foam insulation, which we use to achieve high R-values and to seal areas prone to air leakage, we can also install blown-in insulation and batt insulation. Fiberglass batts are a tried and tested solution for spaces between wall joists, but blown-in insulation is perfect for tight spaces and retrofitting attics that meet the 2012 IECC standards but fall short of the new 2021 IECC codes.

Getting Your Kansas City Property IECC Compliant

Our Koala Insulation team is fully educated on the code requirements listed in the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. To get your new or existing property up to the energy efficiency standards outlined in the 2021 IECC, book your free, on-site estimate today by calling our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team at 816-929-8255. Not much of a phone person? You can also get in touch by booking your free insulation evaluation online.