APA – The Engineered Wood Association (APA) recently updated The Performance Path to Energy Code Compliance publication. This free guide assists builders in evaluating the energy efficiency of a whole home as a system, enabling them to specify cost-effective assemblies utilizing wood structural panels, eliminating the need for continuous insulation in the Northern climate zone while still complying with IECC requirements. Updates incorporate changes made in the newly released 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Download this free guide now from APA’s website.
Notable Changes in the 2024 IECC:
- Allows prescriptive insulation reduction in exterior wall requirements in climate zones 4 and 5 if a heat pump system is used.
- Provides more flexibility in the building thermal envelope for the simulated performance path.
- Reduces attic insulation requirements.
- Includes HVAC equipment in the simulated performance path, allowing credits for high-efficiency equipment.
- Removes additional efficiency requirements for the simulated performance and ERI compliance paths.
APA’s guide also incorporates energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and ductless heat pumps, simulated performance solutions reflecting the new code, and updated energy modeling for the new code and the U.S. Energy Department reference home.
Builders and designers will find guidance on how they can easily meet energy and structural requirements with greater flexibility by using the performance path since traditional, code-compliant construction methods remain acceptable. For example, plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) wood structural panel sheathing, which is known for its superior strength, is still approved. That strength allows builders to use narrow wall segments and a range of window sizes and placements. Plus, structural wood sheathing reduces costs and supports energy performance.
To learn more, watch APA’s free online webinar, Using the Performance Path for Energy Code Compliance with APA’s director of energy policy and code, Matt Brown, as he examines common construction practices in climate zones 3 through 5, highlighting wall assemblies and credits that facilitate compliance with the Energy Rating Index and the simulated performance path. To watch, visit: www.apawood.org/webinars.
