The document provides an overview of common mistakes observed during energy code plan reviews and inspections for both residential and commercial buildings. It outlines key items to check during plan review, including envelope details, mechanical system design, and lighting layout. Important inspections include checking insulation and air sealing installation, fenestration details, blower door testing, and verification of mechanical system, plumbing, lighting, and control installations. Proper commissioning is also highlighted.

1. Common Mistakes:
Plan Review & Inspection
March 8, 2022
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2. 1. Understand the important details to look for during plan review
2. Understand what needs to be included in inspections
3. Learn good practice for communicating critical details to verify
during inspection
4. Understand commonly observed mistakes during inspections
Learning Objectives

3. Questions

4. The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) is an applied
research program at University of Illinois.
Our mission: Reduce the energy footprint of Illinois and beyond.
Who We Are

5. SEDAC is the Illinois Energy
Conservation Code Training Provider
This training program is sponsored by
Illinois State Energy Office

6. Energy Code Training Program
Technical support
energycode@illinois.edu
800.214.7954
Online resources at
smartenergy.illinois.edu/energy-code

7. www.smartenergy.Illinois.edu/energy-code/

8. Access to 2018 IECC, Illinois Amendments & Chicago Energy Conservation Code
https://www2.illinois.gov/cdb/business/cod
es/IllinoisAccessibilityCode/Documents/20
18%20Illinois%20Specific%20Amendment
s%20with%20Modifications%20Shown.pdf
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/
CHIEC2019P2
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2018P4
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2021P2

9. https://learn.smartenergy.illinois.edu/
https://smartenergy.illinois.edu/bee_fundamentals/

10. Plan Review Details

11. Section Summary
1. Energy Code Required Documentation
2. Key Items for Plan Review
1. Envelope checks
2. Lighting/Electrical checks
3. HVAC checks
4. Service hot water checks

12. Identify compliance path used:
• Prescriptive
• UA Tradeoff (Also Prescriptive)
• Energy Cost Budget/Simulated Performance
• ASHRAE 90.1 (Commercial Only)
• Energy Rating Index (Residential Only)
• Passive House (Coming summer 2022)
1. Compliance Path Changes Documentation

13. • Insulation materials and R-value
• Fenestration U-factor and SHGC (Area weighted factors if used)
• Mechanical design criteria
• Mechanical and hot water system details
• Economizer description(s)
• Controls narrative
• Fan power and controls
• Duct and pipe details including sealing, insulation, and location
• Lighting fixture schedule with wattage and controls
• Daylight zone depictions
• Air sealing details
1. C103 Construction Documents

14. 1. R103.2 Construction Documents
• Insulation materials and their R-values
• Fenestration U-factors and SHGC
• Area-weighted U-factors and SHGC calculations
• Mechanical System design criteria
• Mechanical and service water-heating systems and
equipment types, sizes and efficiencies
• Equipment and system controls
• Duct sealing, duct and pipe insulation and location
• Air sealing details

15. 1. Referencing Between Drawings and Specifications
Best to have in a single source (prints or specifications) to avoid
missing or conflicting data.
If in both, include cross references to aid in speed of review. Also
good to have a summary table of locations

16. 1. Insulation levels
2. Air barrier compliance
3. Skylights (>2,500 SF >15’ tall)
4. Vestibules
5. Lighting power density
6. Daylight responsive controls
7. Occupant lighting controls
8. HVAC load calculations
9. HVAC energy recovery
10.Service water heating controls
2. Top 10 Commercial Plan review items

17. 1. Air barrier (air control layer) location
2. Air infiltration level (default is 4 ACH50)
3. Insulation levels or total UA
4. Fenestration criteria (U-factor, SHGC, air tightness)
5. Table R402.4.1.1
6. High Efficacy lighting
7. Ventilation system
8. Manual J / Manual S / Manual D
9. Hot water circulation controls
10.Duct/pipe insulation for unconditioned spaces
2. Top 10 Residential Plan review items

18. 2.1 Plan Review – Insulation Summary
In architectural plan summary page, include table with insulation summary
• Code required R-value/U-factor, Design values, and applicable areas
• For fenestration, also include code and design SHGC.
For UA trade-offs, include minimally compliant UA vs. calculated UA

19. 2.1 Plan Review – Insulation Summary
In architectural plan summary page, include table with insulation summary
• Code required R-value/U-factor, Design values, and applicable areas
• For fenestration, also include code and design SHGC.
For UA trade-offs, include minimally compliant UA vs. calculated UA

20. 2.1 Check Alignment of Control Layers
Alignment of thermal barrier between wall and above-deck roof
insulation often a difficult detail. Again, call out sealing between
differing materials and joints between assemblies.
Source: https://www.buildingenclosureonline.com/articles/88782‐ceu‐parapetscontinuity‐of‐control‐layers

21. 2.1 Plan Review – Air & Thermal Barrier Details
Section views of walls and details of joints between dissimilar materials
should show the continuity of the thermal and air barriers clearly. Show
sealing compounds between joints/materials, too.
Image Source: https://basc.pnnl.gov/cad‐files
Air
Barrier

22. 2.1 R402.4 Air Barrier Review Checklist
The sealing methods between dissimilar materials shall allow for
differential expansion and contraction.
Be sure to include appropriate detailing for building joints and
fenestration. (See table R402.4.1.1)

23. 2.2 Plan Drawing Showing Daylit Zones

24. 2.2 Required Documentation for R404
Lighting fixture schedule with lumens, wattage, and quantities.
Helpful to include lumens per watt
R404.1 calls out 90% or more of fixtures shall contain high-efficacy lamps.
• Note it is fixture-based 90% requirement, not bulb-count based.
Helpful to have fixture count in summary table as above so reviewer doesn’t
have to count fixture types in lighting floor-plan drawings.
Fixture Lumens Wattage Lm/W Fixture Quantity % of total
A 1100 12 92 50 35%
B 840 9 93 72 50%
C 635 65 10 12 8%
D 450 6 75 8 6%
E 536 12 45 2 1%

25. 2.3 Verify Ventilation Strategy
Type: Negative Positive Balanced
Relies on: Infiltration Exfiltration Neither

26. 2.3 Control Narratives and Sensor Graphics
Control Graphic
Control Narrative
Usually in a controls drawing
section or sub‐section of
mechanical, satisfies C103.2
information requirements for
controls, economizer
description, etc.

27. 2.3 What about Rules of Thumb?
Common old rule-of-thumb for residential HVAC sizing was 1 ton of
cooling for every 500sf - 600sf.
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/air‐conditioner‐sizing‐rules‐of‐thumb‐must‐die
Source :

28. 2.3 Mechanical System Design Process
ACCA Technical manuals cover
design, installation and
maintenance for residential and light
commercial HVAC systems.
HVAC Design Impacts
• 1st construction costs
• Comfort
• Indoor air quality
• Building durability
• Energy efficiency
• Higher customer satisfaction/
lower call backs
https://www.acca.org/standards/technical-manuals

29. 2.3 Verify Outdoor Design Conditions
https://farm-energy.extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/7.-Outdoor_Design_Conditions_508.pdf
Ranges: ‐4‐10 88‐93

31. 2.4 Circulation Systems & Demand Recirculation Systems
• “Controls…shall start the pump based on the identification of a demand for hot
water within the occupancy. The controls shall automatically turn off the pump
when the water in the circulation loop is at the desired temperature and when
there is not a demand for hot water.”
• “The controls shall start the pump upon receiving a signal from the action of a
user of a fixture or appliance…The controls shall limit the temperature of the
water entering the cold‐water piping to ≤ 104 °F.”

32. 2.4 R403.8 Systems serving multiple units
Service Water Heating or HVAC
Systems serving multiple dwelling units shall comply with
Sections C403 and C404 of the IECC – Commercial Provisions
instead of R403

33. Inspections

34. Site Inspections Summary
1. Footing and Foundation Inspection
2. Framing and Rough-in Inspection
1. Insulation Installation Quality
2. Window Details
3. Air Sealing Testing
3. Plumbing Rough-in Inspection
4. Mechanical Rough-in Inspection
5. Final Inspection

35. 1. C105.2.1 / R105.2.1 Footing and foundation
Checking R-value, location, thickness, depth of burial and
protection of insulation
https://foundationhandbook.ornl.gov/handbook/

36. 1. R105.2.1 Footing and foundation
Checking depth of burial
• Does it go down far enough? (2’, 4’, 10’, within 6” of
basement slab, etc.)
• Part may be horizontal

37. 1.1 C105.2.5 / R105.2.5 Framing and rough-in
Can be two parts – Framing structural & air sealing, followed by
insulation inspection (insulation makes air sealing harder to inspect)
Can also be single inspection, depending on building department

38. 1.1 C105.2.5/R105.2.2 Thermal Envelope
Checking other thermal envelope air leakage controls
• Are the joints of dis-similar materials sealed?
• Are the joints of similar materials sealed?

39. 1.1 C105.2.5 Thermal Envelope
Checking proper installation
• Fills the cavity
• Uncompressed

40. 1.2 R105.2.5 / C105.2.5 Framing and rough-in
Checking fenestration properties such as U-factor and SHGC,
proper installation, and air leakage controls

41. 1.2 R105.2.5 Framing and rough-in
Checking fenestration for proper installation
• Adequate space for air sealing around window
• Bottom flange not caulked to allow water out

42. 1.3 R402.4.1.2 Blower Door Testing
Mandatory for residential construction
Residential air leakage rate not to exceed 4
air changes per hour @ 50 pascals
Where required by code official, testing shall
be conducted by an approved third party.
Testing performed after creation of all
penetrations of the building thermal
envelope

43. 1.3 Bloor Door Testing for Multifamily Housing
Low-rise multifamily
Air leakage not exceeding 0.25 cubic feet per minute of
enclosure area (all six sides) at 50 Pascal.
Sampling methodology available for buildings >7 units
https://www.mncee.org/blog/may-2019/research-sidesteps-obstacles-measuring-air-tightne/

44. 2. R105.2.3 / C105.2.3 Plumbing system
Types of insulation, corresponding R-value, protection, required
controls, and heat traps

45. 3. R105.2.4 / C105.2.4 Mechanical system
HVAC equipment type, size, required controls, system
insulation, and corresponding R-value, system and damper air
leakage control, minimum fan efficiency, energy recovery, and
economizer

46. 3. Mechanical rough-in
HVAC equipment size
• Does it match the design?
• Larger or smaller is a problem

47. • Commissioning process should start early in building process – design
drawings!
• Initial commissioning report may be reviewed during rough-in inspections
for HVAC systems – check some progress put into functional testing as
systems installed and brought online
• Verify there is a testing plan in place for controls required in C403
through C405 for HVAC, service hot water, and electrical.
3. C408 Commissioning

48. 3. R105.2.4 / C105.2.4 Mechanical system
HVAC system air leakage control
• Duct sealing completed (UL tape, mastic, etc)?
• Damper air leakage rates or duct testing?

49. 3. R105.2.4 Mechanical rough-in
whole-house ventilation system/controls
• System present?
• Designed controls installed?

50. 4. C105.2.5 Electrical System
Lighting system controls, components, and meters
*Meters for Group R‐2

51. 4. C105.2.6 Final
Installation and proper operation of all required building controls, and
documentation verifying activities associated with required building
commissioning have been conducted in accordance with Section C408

52. 4. R105.2.5 Final
Any required remaining building systems, equipment, and controls and
their operation and the required number of high efficacy fixtures

53. Questions?
energycode@illinois.edu
800-214-7954