By Jason P. Wilen, AIA, CDT, RRO
From the January/February 2016 Issue
Model energy codes establish minimum requirements for thermal resistance of building envelopes. Thermal resistance is often measured in R-value, which is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-value the better the thermal performance of the insulation is. Model energy codes are adopted by states or local jurisdictions and are sometimes left as-is or are modified by state or local building code agencies to reflect a jurisdiction’s local conditions. The most often-adopted energy code in the U.S. is the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), developed and published by the International Code Council (ICC)
The building envelope thermal requirements in the International Energy Conservation Code, 2012 Edition (IECC 2012) provide prescriptive minimum thermal insulation (R-value) requirements for building envelope components, including roof assemblies.
Comparing IECC 2012’s values to those of the International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 Edition (IECC 2009) reveals minimum required R-values have increased from R-5 to R-10 depending on specific climate zones and building (roof) assembly configurations.
Similarly, comparing the new International Energy Conservation Code, 2015 Edition’s (IECC 2015’s) values to IECC 2012’s Edition, IECC 2015 includes increases of an additional R-5 for some locations.
IECC 2015 was published in mid-2014 and was available to jurisdictions for adoption at that time. The IECC is published every three years, and many locations are still using earlier editions of IECC. If in doubt, facilities should check with their local building departments to find out which version of IECC is in effect in their area.
It is important to note the ICC doesn’t thoroughly consider the cost implication of making its codes more stringent, such as increasing minimum R-value requirements.
A Sample Analysis
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) analyzed energy savings and cost paybacks of roof assembly R-value increases in 16 U.S. cities representative of the energy codes’ eight U.S. climate zones (see current map below, click to enlarge).
A hypothetical project consisting of a roof assembly with insulation above deck on a 10,000 square foot single-story building was considered. Construction cost increases and corresponding theoretical energy savings information was developed by changing the hypothetical roof assembly in each city from R-10 to R-15; R-15 to R-20; R-20 to R-25; and R-25 to R-30. City-specific current energy costs (natural gas for heating and electricity for cooling) were used in the analysis. Cost payback length was determined by dividing the incremental increased cost for adding R-value by the calculated energy cost savings.
The analysis revealed that insulation increases from R-10 up to R-15 have the relatively shortest paybacks; these ranged from 12.4 years to 13.3 years. (A 2004 study conducted by The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress revealed the average lifespan for a low-slope roof system in the U.S. is 17.4 years.)
Cost payback lengths vary by a city’s climatic conditions and heating and cooling energy costs. For example, energy costs significantly vary between Boston and Denver, resulting in wide variances in cost paybacks even when comparing cities in the same climate zone.
Considering current heating and cooling costs, NRCA’s analysis concludes R-value increases resulting in cost payback lengths approaching or beyond a roof assembly’s anticipated life span are not financially justifiable to building owners. However, as heating and cooling energy costs increase, shorter cost payback lengths will occur and may better justify the current energy codes’ high minimum R-value requirements.
Interested parties can determine theoretical heating and cooling costs (and savings) for roof assembly configurations in specific cities using NRCA’s EnergyWise Roof Calculator. EnergyWise is a Web-based application that provides a graphical method of construction roof assemblies to evaluate thermal performance and estimated energy cost under normal operation conditions.
The application determines “Annual Energy Cost” values, which is useful when comparing the energy costs and savings associated with various roof assembly designs. This value should not be confused with the building owner’s overall energy costs, which in most instances will be somewhat larger than the “Annual Energy cost” that is attributable to the roof assembly only.
For a detained financial analysis of the long-term costs and potential savings of an energy efficient roof system, it is prudent to consult an experienced accountant.
NRCA’s Conclusions
NRCA considers a roof assembly’s thermal performance to be an important attribute to overall performance. However, based on NRCA’s analysis, in many instances the energy codes’ current high minimum R-value requirements do not provide building owners and operators adequate energy cost savings to justify additional construction costs.
NRCA cautions against making representations of cost savings that can result from adding high insulation R-values.
NRCA recommends roof assembly designers provide designs that comply with the minimum requirements for the specific energy code applicable in the jurisdiction where a building is located.
Final Thoughts
As state and local jurisdictions consider updating their energy codes, facility executives and other stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. Generally, there is a public comment phase during the energy code update process. Meanwhile, an online resource from NRCA lists, by state, which energy codes have been adopted here.
In November 2014, the NRCA published an industry issue update for its members that analyzed energy savings and cost paybacks stemming from energy code mandated increases in R-values for low-slope roof assemblies.
These findings and NRCA’s conclusions are summarized in a document that can be found online.
Also, because insulation is a significant component of roof systems, facility executives should consider asking their roof system designers to use cover boards between roof membranes and rigid roof insulation in their low-slope roof assemblies in order to protect insulation and to enhance overall system performance.
Wilen is director of technical services at the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). He joined the NRCA staff in 2011 after 18 years with architectural, forensic, and roof consulting firms. Wilen holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and is a licensed architect in Illinois. Wilen is currently a member of two ASHRAE committees as well as being active with a number of ASTM International committees.
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This letter was submitted to Facility Executive by Larry Spielvogel, PE or L. G. Spielvogel, Inc., Bala Cynwyd, PA.
The article “Analyzing Payback of Roof Insulation” by Jason Wilen, AIA in the January/February 2016 issue of Facility Executive is neither balanced nor correct. In any given location, the roof insulation requirements for any given version of the IECC are unfortunately, “one size fits all.” That means there is a fixed amount of roof insulation regardless of (1) the cost of heating energy, (2) the cost of cooling energy, (3) whether the space below is even heated or cooled, and (4) how many hours the space is used.
This means that the Code required roof insulation for a church or meeting facility used 4 hours per week is identical to a police station or apartment used 168 hours per week. This also means that the Code required amount of roof insulation for a warehouse is identical to a hospital, even though the warehouse is only heated to 50F and not even air-conditioned. That is even worse for spaces like warehouses or garages that are not heated or cooled at all. If no or limited heating or cooling is used, or for limited hours, the Code required roof insulation cannot be justified.
In buildings with internal heat gains from lighting and equipment, the Code required insulation could increase energy consumption by the insulation causing more cooling to be required because the insulation traps the internal heat in the building. With less insulation, the internal heat will be lost naturally and not require cooling. See “More Insulation Can Increase Energy Consumption” in the January 1974 ASHRAE Journal.
Owners and contractors should (1) participate in the Code development process to modify them or provide exceptions, and (2) apply for variances for those applications where the code-required insulation is not in the best interests of the building. Thus, the Code required increases in roof insulation cannot often be economically justified; they can actually result in increased energy consumption and cost.
The author’s statement that, “as heating and cooling costs increase” does not consider that they can also decrease. With dramatic reductions in the price of natural gas and oil for heating, the amount of Code required roof insulation could also no longer be justified. In my neighborhood, the price of natural gas is 66¢ per CCF, while just one block away with a different utility it is $1.09 per CCF, or 65% higher. This makes very different justifications for roof insulation in the same location. Who is taking these facts into consideration when (1) writing codes, and (2) designing or installing roof insulation on a building?
Finally, do not rely on canned computer programs for determining roof insulation unless they take into account all of these variables and do not make assumptions, which none of them do. Contrary to the author, an experienced accountant is not the one to do this. Contrary to the author, “roof assembly designers [should not] provide designs that comply with the minimum code.”
The author’s reference to the website, http://www.phpsd.com/blog/4-reasons-a-roofing-inspection-is-more-important-than-you-think is not at all relevant to the subject of the article. [Editor’s note: This link appeared in the print version of the article, in error. The correct link appears in the article above.]
Let common sense prevail. It does not prevail in the Code or this article.
Larry Spielvogel, PE