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State of Texas and local Texas cities adopting Californian rules could cost homeowners thousands who wait until after January 1, 2012

North Texas - The state of Texas has adopted the California energy code known as Chapter 11 energy code. This may cost homeowners who wait thousands more than homeowners who replace their he ating and air conditioning system before January 1st when the new laws go into effect.

The new stricter energy code is adopted after the international energy code chapter 11. California was the first state to adopt the stricter energy codes, and we all know how well California has done the last few years.

In times past home owners could choose the scope of work to be performed, even breaking down the project into phases.

New codes that have already been adopted, and will be enforced after January 1, 2012, will require the air distribution system (commonly know as the "ducts") to pass certain performance standards regardless of the home owners wishes or cost.

Unfortunately this extra work, as required by the law, will not be free. In some cases, it could cost thousands to replace or upgrade your air distribution system regardless if you are happy with your current system or not.

Energy conservation is always a good idea, but it must make economic sense. It does not make sense to spend thousands if it is only going to save you a few dollars per month.

New system design and sizing regulations may cause homeowner concerns and complaints.

Under the new codes unit sizing and design temperatures are tightly regulated. For example your system must be sized for not less than 75 degrees indoor with a design (outdoor temperature) of 99 degrees.

We all know it gets hotter than 99 degrees here but the new code requires your system to be sized for 99 degrees, regardless of how hot it really gets here in north Texas. A system sized in accordance with the new energy code could cause your home to be over 80 on a 105 degree day.

The code even requires your thermostat to be programmed to 78 degrees during the cooling season.

Some cities have even enacted fines up to $2000.00 for failure to comply with the code for systems installed after January 1 st

I am writing you this as an opportunity for both of us. First I'll explain what is in it for you and then I will explain why I am willing to make it much to your advantage to you for acting now versus later.

The Problem created by new codes
If you are even remotely thinking of replacing your air conditioning and heating system anytime in the next few years, now might be the time to move forward, rather than later. The new energy codes will require your duct system to be tested and perform to standards which quite frankly, most existing systems cannot live up to with out significant work and expense.

This is going to significantly increase the amount of labor involved in replacing current heating and cooling systems. In some cases more than double the labor requirements.

In a recent contractor training meeting I attended, several contractors were saying that this might just be the reason they choose to retire, due to the amount of work that is going to be required to install a new system in someone's home. This will significantly increase the cost associated with a new system after January 1st. Or possibly even worse, people who wait until summer will have to wait to get a new system installed. This new law could- easily double the amount of time it takes to install a new system in a home, thus drastically increasing the cost and time in your home. So it makes your wait time longer and price will be going up on your new system. One contractor summed it up best "Homeowners are not going to be happy when they find out how much more this is going to cost and the system sizing restrictions."

My problem is your opportunity

• As you can imagine my business has its seasonal up and downs. When it is hot or cold we are very busy, but when the weather turns nice it's horrible for my business.
• The summer was crazy and I ended up with excess inventory. So, that being said, I would like to propose a win - win proposal for you, I will discount systems based on my inventory and the fact that I would rather sell you a new system at a discount rather than send my champion installers home. After all I will need them when the weather turns cold in just a short time.
• As I am writing this I have 41 systems that I am preparing to offer at a discount of up to $3500.00, combining the discounts and the fact that you get to avoid the upcoming code changes by being grandfathered under the current codes.

Your benefit by acting now

You can benefit in several ways if you choose to act now.

• Systems replaced before January 1 st are not required to upgrade the duct system, possibly saving you thousands of dollars. We will inspect your duct at no charge and make suggestions as to what is the best economic solution for your home based on you and your homes needs.
• You get to choose what temperature you want your system sized for.
• We are offering off season pricing, with discounts up to $3500.00 on selected systems

Thank you,
Brett Hobson
President, Comfort Experts Inc

BUILDING ENERGY CODES PROGRAM
IMPACTS OF THE 2009 IECC FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AT STATE LEVEL

2.0 Chapter 2 - Energy Analysis of Major Improvement in 2009 IECC

The 2009 IECC contains major differences that are not contained in any previous version of the IECC. These changes account for much of the energy savings attributable to the 2009 IECC compared to any of the older versions of the IECC.

2.1 Duct Testing
Section 403.2.2 of the 2009 IECC requires air ducts systems, where any of the ducts pass outside of the conditioned space (into attics, garages, etc.), to be pressure tested for leakage with maximum leakage rates specified. The duct system now has to be tested to prove that the air leakage out of ducts is kept to an acceptable level. Testing is. not required if all ducts are inside the building envelope (for example in heated basements), though all ducts are required to be sealed.

The IECC has always required ducts to be sealed. However, multiple studies have shown that visual inspection of ducts is not adequate. Ducts are often located in difficult to access areas such as attics and crawl spaces. Cracks and other leakage points in ducts may not be visible because they are covered by insulation, hidden from view, or simply too small to be readily apparent to the human eye. Testing of completed homes in Washington state, where prescriptive code requirements for duct sealing apply, "showed no significant improvement" over non-code homes (Washington State University 2001). Another study from Washington state concluded: "Comparisons to air leakage rates reported elsewhere for homes built before the implementation of the 1991 WSEC show no significant improvement by the general population" despite years of training emphasizing duct sealing (Hales et al. 2003). The requirement to meet a specific leakage limit will result in improving the buildings that would have had the leakiest ducts.

Numerous other studies around the nation show substantial duct leakage in new homes, including those in states with codes requiring duct sealing. For example, a 2001 study of 186 houses built under the MEC in Massachusetts reported "serious problems were found in the quality of duct sealing in about 80% of these houses" (Xenergy 2001). Pressurization tests in 22 of these houses found an average leakage to the outside of the house of 183 cfm, or 21.6% of the system flow, at a pressure of 25 Pascals.

The IECC allows a variety of compliance methods. Notably, the testing can be done at rough-in stage immediately after the ducts are installed. This allows potentially costly call backs to be avoided if the tested leakage rate exceeds code requirements.

For more information on the new State of Texas Energy Codes visit:
http://www.energycodes.gov/states/state_info.php?stateAB=TX
http://www.energycodes.gov/states/maps/residentialAdoptionActivity.stm