So what happens when a couple of veteran construction editors get frustrated that construction media hasn’t really moved beyond magazines to an actual jobsite tool like, say your smart phone? Well they decided to create their own site to meet those needs and went live last June. Say hello to ProTradeCraft.com; a training and information resource site created for builders, remodelers, […]
First Look – The 2015 IRC Changes
This is part two of our series on the 2015 code changes. The first one dealt mainly with the Energy portion (2015 IECC) while this one will focus more on the building side. As many know the Building Code & Energy Codes are updated every three years. Every code update cycle seems to focus around or is […]
Notes from the field: Finding the leaks
Quick Note: As many know “The HTRC” was created and brought to you by SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC. Many of the articles on here are based on projects we work on, questions that are asked, etc… In this case, this piece was brought about by a few recent tests we did & basically covers […]
Getting ready for 2016 – Energy Code Changes & Other Items of Note
Well it is official – The Illinois “CDB received a Certification of No Objection from JCAR at Tuesday’s meeting (Dec. 15th, 2015), meaning that our rules were accepted. The effective date of the 2015 IECC (with amendments) as the Illinois Energy Conservation Code is January 1, 2016.” (Final 2015 Illinois Specific Amendments – these are the changes […]
The Latest: Illinois & the 2015 Energy Codes
As a brief recap: all states must adopt the 2012 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 (or better) energy codes no later than February 17th, 2017 & the 2015 code by June 12th of 2017. Many states are electing to skip the 2012 code all together and are pushing for the 2015 version for some very good reasons. […]
Illinois; The ERI, the IECAC, & RESNET – The Final Push
UPDATE: By a margin of 4 to 1, the ERI is being recommended to stay in the codes, basement’s only need the top 4′ & the 62.2.10 spec still stands. Monday April 6th (10 AM to noon) will decide whether the ERI aka as the HERS option will be part of Illinois new Energy Code or […]
The Fight over the ERI & … Return to Sender
Yesterday the full IECAC committee met to hear the commercial and residential sub-committees recommendations. Many items were approved with 4 items being referred back to the appropriate sub-committees. Here is a recap of that 2 1/2 hour meeting, what passed, what is still being debated, a few new objections, & a big you have to be kidding me (can you […]
Illinois & the Fight over the ERI Path
Tomorrow, Wednesday March 18th, the Illinois Energy Conservation Advisory Council will hold session to hear various sub-committee recommendations and possibly move to vote on the their final recommendations for the adoption of the 2015 IECC. Originally there was a huge fight to simply skip this code cycle due to the “limited performance gains” making it seem largely […]
My Take: How hard is it to hit the IECC Air Leakage Targets?
Lately as more states are looking at adopting the 2012 or 2015 codes many builders are worried about the Air Leakage aka Blower Door Test. Is it possible to hit those numbers… how hard is it… how much is it going to cost… how about smaller units like a townhouse… how can I make sure […]
First Look – Upcoming codes & changes coming in 2015
How does that saying go – forewarned is forearmed? While your local maybe years away from adopting the latest versions of the IRC & IECC knowing in advance what is coming down the pike… Ready for this, there are other changes coming that are likely to impact you no matter what your jurisdiction does. As […]