​Notice: The following list is not inclusive of all changes to the 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code. The individual sections shown below may also have further information such as addition code or exceptions to the code.

 Residential Building:

Item
Code Reference
401.3
NC Specific ResCheck shall be used
401.9(3)
Check insulation and component R-Values
  • Ceiling: R-38 or R-30 continuous
  • Wood frame: R-15
  • Mass Wall: 5/10
  • Floor: R-19
  • Basement Wall: 10/13
  • Slab: R-10
  • Crawlspace Wall: 10/13
Table 402.1.1
Check Fenestration U-Factors
  • Glazing: 0.35
  • Skylight: 0.60
  • SHGC: 0.30
Table 402.1.1
When insulation is installed in a totally enclosed attic floor system, R-30 shall be compliant
402.2(1)
Ceilings without attics restricted to 500 sq.ft area
402.2.2
Access hatches & doors insulated
Horizontal: weather stripped and insulated to minimum R-10
Vertical: weather stripped and insulated to minimum R-5
402.2.3
Non-rigid insulation materials are not allowed on pull-down stair systems
402.2.3(Exc. 1)
Floor insulation shall be installed to maintain permanent contact with underside of floor. Support wires shall be no more than 18 inches apart and no more than 6 inches from each end of insulation
402.2.6
Walls for conditioned basements must be insulated to 10 feet below grade or to the floor, whichever is less.
402.2.7
Thermally isolated conditioned sunrooms
  • Minimum ceiling insulation: R-19
  • Minimum wall insulation: R-13
    New walls separating sunroom from conditioned space shall meet building thermal envelop requirements
 
402.2.11
Exterior thermal envelope wall insulation shall be in in contact and continuous alignment with the building envelope air barrier (Tubs, showers, stairs, fireplace units, knee walls, floor-joist over garage)
402.2.12
Thermal isolated conditioned sunrooms
  • Maximum fenestration U-factor: 0.40
  • Maximum skylight U-factor: 0.75
  • With cooling system: maximum SHGC of 0.40
New windows and doors separating sunroom from conditioned space shall meet building thermal envelope requirement
402.3.5
Air sealing shall meet 402.4.2.1 (Visual) or 402.2.2 (Testing)
402.4.2
Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection component criteria (visual)
Table 402.4.2
Blower door test performed & reported by:
Permit holder, NC licensed GC, NC licensed HVAC contractor, NC licensed home inspector, NC registered design professional
402.4.2.2
Site-built masonry fireplaces shall have doors and comply with R1006
402.4.3
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Residential Mechanical:

Item
Code Reference
HVAC registers and boots shall be sealed to subfloor or drywall
402.4(4)
When the primary heating system is forced warm air, at least 1 thermostat shall be of the setback type (automatic)
403.1.1
Heat pumps with supplementary electric resistance heat shall have a OD thermostat or control to limit the supplementary heat when the heat pump can handle the load
403.1.2
Maintenance instructions shall be furnished for equipment and systems that require maintenance
403.1.3
Duct Insulation
  • Unconditioned Space: R-8
  • Semi-Conditioned: Supply R-4
  • Return: NR
  • Inside conditioned space: Only if needed to prevent condensation
403.2.1
Shall have duct blaster test. Duct leakage information must be included on the certificate described in 401.3.
Test must be performed and reported by:
Permit holder, NC licensed GC, NC licensed HVAC contractor, NC licensed home inspector, NC registered design professional, certified BPI Envelope Professional or a certified HERS rater.
403.2.2
Duct leakage info shall be listed on certificate described in 401.3
403.2.2
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Residential Electrical: 

Item
Code Reference
Recessed luminaries shall be sealed
402.4.5
All heaters and pumps shall have programmable automatic time switches
403.9.2
Heated pools and permanently installed in ground spas shall have a vapor-retardant cover.
403.9.3
Minimum of 75% of all lamps shall be high-efficacy lamps. (CFL, LED, etc…)
404.l
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