Low-rise Residential
The mandatory measures require that wood-framed walls above grade have at least R-13 insulation installed in the cavities between the framing members. However, the prescriptive measures for Alternative Component Package C requires more insulation than the minimum requirements in all climate zones. Likewise, Alternative Component Package D requires more insulation than the minimum requirements in climate zones 1 and 11 through 16.
Wall constructions with insulation that is not penetrated by framing members, or with metal framing, comply with this mandatory measure if they have a U-factor lower than 0.102, which is the U-factor of a wood-framed wall with R-13 insulation. Entry A3 in Table IV.9 in Joint Appendix IV is the basis for the U-Factor criterion.
Insulation may be of greater insulating value in certain areas of the wall and of lesser insulating value in other areas of the wall provided that the area-weighted U-factor does not exceed 0.102 to show equivalence to an R-13 wall.
Nonresidential and Hotels and High-rise Residential
The California Quality Standards for Insulating Materials ensure that insulation sold or installed in the state performs according to the stated R-value and meets minimum quality, health, and safety standards.
Manufacturers must certify that insulating materials comply with California Quality Standards for Insulating Materials (CCR, Title 24, Part 12, Chapters 12-
13), which ensure that insulation sold or installed in the state performs according to stated R-values and meets minimum quality, health, and safety standards. Builders may not install the types of insulating materials listed in Table 3-9 unless the product has been thus certified. Builders and enforcement agencies should use the Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Guide and Directory of Certified Insulation Material to check compliance. (Note: this is not an Energy Commission publication.) If an insulating product is not listed in the most recent edition of the directory, contact the Department of Consumer Affairs, Thermal Insulation Program, at (916) 574-2041.