Even though I'm pretty new here, I’ve seen some air sealing questions pertaining to specific insulation projects. I'm wondering - for the builders and contractors out there - how are the IECC 2012 codes affecting you? Just curious to hear what your experiences have been meeting the guidelines.

How many jurisdictions have adopted 2012? I think we have 2009 here and many builders still haven't figured it out.

The only state I know of that enforces the 2009 version is GA and would love to hear from people there how (or if) its actually done. I wouldnt be surprised if they had a some BS loophole "air-sealing checklist" as we do for the new NC energy code. Doesnt Minnesota have ACH50 minimums?

Its crazy how far behind building codes have gotten from International Energy codes. I mean GA? ACH50 of 7? Its a joke but I really think things are about to change for the better in the next couple years.

IRC 2012 specified 3ACH/50, which is pretty easy to meet if you pay any attention to air sealing issues during construction. The IRC 2009 spec of 7ACH/50 rather than a real hurdle is barely a stripe on the floor, and even real antiques can be retrofitted to that level at reasonable expense.

For tract home builders just putting the gypsum behind showers & tub enclosures (a common HUGE air leak), air-tight recessed lights, and attending to the most dead-obvious leakage areas can get them to sufficient air tightness to meet IRC 2009 with less than one can of foam during a blower door test. Many already homes built with IRC 2009 air leakage in mind already meet IRC 2012. It's just not that tough a spec- totally buildable with low/no uptick in real cost.

In MA all cities and towns that have adopted the MA "green communities stretch code", require leakage testing & compliance for both ducts & house. (There are more than 50 cities & towns covered, and more than half the state population.) For a snapshot of how houses were faring under that program in the very first year of compliance testing in MA take a peek at the ACH/50 numbers for the example homes on pages 37-43 of this document:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/pubs-reports/stretch-code-201-webinar-slides-nov03-2010.pdf

Then most houses that passed were hitting 5 ACH/50 or better on the first pass, and most that failed the first pass were quickly brought into that range. In the 3 (going on 4) years since then it's only gotten better, now that crews are up to speed on what was needed/expected to get a first-test pass. I don't have data to show, but from informal anecdotal evidence I suspect they're mostly testing sub-4 ACH/50 now without needing retrofit tweaks, and insisting on IRC 2012 levels would neither be difficult nor expensive.

Hi, ICFHybrid – Currently, IECC 2012 for residential projects has been adopted and is in effect in Illinois and Maryland. California, Massachusetts and Washington – where it looks like you’re located based on your profile – have adopted IECC 2012 for residential, but it will be in effect at a later date. Other states that are at various stages of the adoption process include Iowa, New York, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Virginia. Just curious – are you a builder or contractor? We’re always trying to help educate builders, but are curious to know more about what you think would be useful.

Thanks, Brian K. Do you have code-mandated air sealing requirements in N.C.? If so, what are they? Are they difficult to meet?

Great information, Dana1. It just goes to show that setting performance expectations – combined with training and time to become familiar with the practices – can result in houses that perform efficiently with a modest increase in cost. Thank you for sharing.