Unlike Illinois and Chicago, however, Wisconsin does not have requirements for adopting the national codes. We're still in zone 5 in Chicago, but now our Wisconsin office, which used to be in zone 6, is also in zone 5. Otherwise, locally, frost lines in the south half of Wisconsin moved from 48 inches to 42 inches. The most significant changes don't affect us in the Midwest: Climate zone 0 was added for the islands.
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More significant than the ASHRAE code changes is the fact the climate zone map itself changed. The new map was first adopted in the 2004 IECC Supplement and the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 edition, and it's what has been used until recent changes were made. The eight zones are: hot-humid, hot-dry, mixed-dry, mixed-humid, marine, cold, very cold, and subarctic. In 2003, with direction from the Building America teams, in particular Building Science Corporation, researchers at the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory further simplified the IECC map, dividing it into eight climate zones based on temperature, precipitation, and heating and cooling degree days.
The new zones were established along county boundaries so builders could determine which climate zone applied to a specific location. This map divided the United States into eight climate zones, which were further divided into three moisture regimes designated A, B, and C, totaling 24 potential climate designations. weather sites identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as classifications of world climates.
climate zones was created based on analysis of U.S. ASHRAE identified 38 climate zones for 240 cities, and IECC used 33 climate zones based on counties. Until then, ASHRAE and IECC used different methods to specify climate-dependent requirements. While the link between the two has been recognized for years, it wasn't until 2004 that a single climate zone map was developed for all building codes. Typically projects follow IECC, but on projects seeking a green building certification such as LEED, the client follows ASHRAE 90.Įvolution of climate zone maps for building codesĪs builders, we rely on climate zones to know what energy codes and standards to follow. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today." Both must use the same code.Īccording to the US Department of Energy, the 2018 IECC code establishes a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes and commercial businesses.Īccording to ASHRAE, the "society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. Only one is used for the entire building, so the building envelope cannot use 2018 IECC and the mechanical systems use ASHRAE 90.1-2016. IECC and ASHRAE provide two options for the new energy code: IECC 2018 or ASHRAE 90.1-2016. Design and construction professionals in Illinois are required by law to follow the latest published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard. Regulations were established to help protect the environment and reduce energy consumption by reducing air pollution, controlling demand and stabilizing supplies and costs. What are IECC and ASHRAE and how do they work? Our building codes have to match the environment in order for the systems to perform properly. Though the changes are not significant to our work, these changes, along with AIA's recent Resolution for Urgent and Sustained Climate Action, acknowledge the fact that our climate is in fact changing. Each state has their own requirements for following the national codes. This summer, new national energy codes took effect in Chicago (June) and Illinois (July).