Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1)

Scope

High Performance Insulation

All ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation shall achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation or, alternatively, Grade II for surfaces that contain a layer of continuous, air impermeable insulation ≥ R-3 in Climate Zones 1 to 4, ≥ R-5 in Climate Zones 5 to 8:

1. Install insulation without misalignments, compressions, gaps, or voids in all wall cavities along the thermal barrier of the house.

Notes:

What is grade I installation?   

Grade I installation requires that the insulation material uniformly fill each cavity side-to-side and top-to-bottom, without substantial gaps, or voids around obstructions (such as blocking or bridging), and be split, installed, and/or fitted tightly around wiring and other services in the cavity.

To attain a rating of Grade I, wall insulation shall be enclosed on all six sides, and shall be in substantial contact with the sheathing material on at least one side (interior or exterior) of the cavity.

For faced batt insulation, Grade I can be designated for side-stapled tabs, provided the tabs are stapled neatly (no buckling), and provided the batt is only compressed at the edges of each cavity, to the depth of the tab itself, and provided the batt meets the other requirements of Grade I.

How do raters inspect insulation?

Raters are required to inspect and probe in, around, or through the insulation and/ or vapor retarder in several places to see whether these requirements are met.

During inspection, insulation and vapor retarders may be cut or pulled away so raters can see installation details. The raters should replace or repair the vapor retarder and insulation as necessary. During inspection (typically before drywall is installed), if the exterior sheathing is visible from the building interior through gaps in the cavity insulation material, it is not considered a Grade I installation.

Notes:

Insulation levels in a home shall meet or exceed the component insulation requirements in the 2009 IECC - Table 402.1.1. The following exceptions apply:

1. Steel-frame ceilings, walls, and floors shall meet the insulation requirements of the 2009 IECC – Table 402.2.5. In CZ 1 and 2, the continuous insulation requirements in this table shall be permitted to be reduced to R-3 for steel-frame wall assemblies with studs spaced at 24-inch on center. This exception shall not apply if the alternative calculations in d) are used;
2. For ceilings with attic spaces, R-30 shall satisfy the requirement for R-38 and R-38 shall satisfy the requirement for R-49 wherever the full height of uncompressed insulation at the lower R-value extends over the wall top plate at the eaves. This exemption shall not apply if the alternative calculations in d) are used;
3. For ceilings without attic spaces, R-30 shall satisfy the requirement for any required value above R-30 if the design of the roof / ceiling assembly does not provide sufficient space for the required insulation value. This exemption shall be limited to 500 square feet or 20% of the total insulated ceiling area, whichever is less. This exemption shall not apply if the alternative calculations in d) are used;
4. An alternative equivalent U-factor or total UA calculation may also be used to demonstrate compliance, as follows:

An assembly with a U-factor equal or less than specified in 2009 IECC Table 402.1.3 complies.

A total building thermal envelope UA that is less than or equal to the total UA resulting from the U-factors in Table 402.1.3 also complies. The insulation levels of all non-fenestration components (i.e., ceilings, walls, floors, and slabs) can be traded off using the UA approach under both the Prescriptive and the Performance Path. Note that fenestration products (i.e., windows, skylights, doors) shall not be included in this calculation. Also, note that while ceiling and slab insulation can be included in trade-off calculations, Items 4.1 through 4.3 of the Checklist shall be met regardless of the UA tradeoffs calculated. The UA calculation shall be done using a method consistent with the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals and shall include the thermal bridging effects of framing materials. The calculation for a steel-frame envelope assembly shall use the ASHRAE zone method or a method providing equivalent results, and not a series-parallel path calculation method.

Note:

Consistent with the 2009 IECC, slab edge insulation is only required for slab-on-grade floors with a floor surface less than 12 inches below grade. Slab insulation shall extend to the top of the slab to provide a complete thermal break. If the top edge of the insulation is installed between the exterior wall and the edge of the interior slab, it shall be permitted to be cut at a 45-degree angle away from the exterior wall.

Note:

Where an insulated wall separates a garage, patio, porch, or other unconditioned space from the conditioned space of the house, slab insulation shall also be installed at this interface to provide a thermal break between the conditioned and unconditioned slab. Where specific details cannot meet this requirement, partners shall provide the detail to EPA to request an exemption prior to the home’s qualification. EPA will compile exempted details and work with industry to develop feasible details for use in future revisions to the program. A list of currently exempted details is available at: www.energystar.gov/slabedge.

Climate

ENERGY STAR Version 3, (Rev. 6)

Thermal Enclosure Checklist, Quality-Installed Insulation. All ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation shall achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation or, alternatively, Grade II for surfaces that contain a layer of continuous, air impermeable insulation ≥ R-3 in Climate Zones 1 to 4, ≥ R-5 in Climate Zones 5 to 8.

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Climate Regions

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Compliance

ENERGY STAR Version 3, (Rev. 6)

Thermal Enclosure Checklist, Quality-Installed Insulation. All ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation shall achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation or, alternatively, Grade II for surfaces that contain a layer of continuous, air impermeable insulation ≥ R-3 in Climate Zones 1 to 4, ≥ R-5 in Climate Zones 5 to 8.

DOE Challenge Home

Exhibit 1: Mandatory Requirements. Certified under ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3. Exhibit 2: DOE Challenge Home Target Home. Insulation levels shall meet the 2012 IECC and achieve Grade 1 installation, per RESNET standards. 

2009 IECC

Section 303.2 Installation. All materials, systems, and equipment to be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and the International Building Code.

2012 IECC

Section R303.2 Installation. All materials, systems, and equipment to be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and the International Building Code or International Residential Code, as applicable.

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References