TITLE 14 HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER
7 BUILDING CODES GENERAL
PART 6 2018 NEW MEXICO RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
14.7.6.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Construction
Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department.
[14.7.6.1
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.1 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.2 SCOPE: This rule applies to all residential
contracting work performed in New Mexico on or after September 25, 2020, that
is subject to the jurisdiction of CID, unless performed pursuant to a permit
for which an application was received by CID before that date.
[14.7.6.2 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.2 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
Sections 60-13-9 and 60-13-44 NMSA
1978.
[14.7.6.3 NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.3 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[14.7.6.4
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.4 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.5 EFFECTIVE DATE:
September 25, 2020 unless a later
date is cited at the end of a section.
[14.7.6.5
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.5 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
[From the
date of publication of this rule in the New Mexico register, until month 3/2021,
permits may be issued under either the previously-adopted rule, or this
rule. After month 3/2021, permits may be
issued only under this rule.]
14.7.6.6 OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this rule is to
establish minimum standards for energy conservation for residential construction
in New Mexico.
[14.7.6.6
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.6 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.7 DEFINITIONS:
See 14.5.1 NMAC, General Provisions
and Chapter 2 of the IECC as amended in 14.7.6.10 NMAC.
[14.7.6.7
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.7 NMAC,
9/25/2020]
14.7.6.8 ADOPTION OF THE 2018 NEW MEXICO RESIDENTIAL ENERGY
CONSERVATION CODE:
A. This rule adopts by reference the 2018
international energy conservation code
(IECC), as amended by this rule.
B. In this rule, each provision is
numbered to correspond with the numbering of the 2018 international residential
energy conservation code.
C. This rule
is to be applied to each of the following New Mexico building codes, including
the NMRBC, NMPC, NMMC and the NMEC.
[14.7.6.8
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.8 NMAC, 9/25/2020;
14.7.6.9 CHAPTER 1 - ADMINISTRATION:
A. Section R101 - General.
(1) R101.1 Title. Delete this section of the IECC and
substitute: this rule shall be known as 14.7.6 NMAC, the 2018 New Mexico Residential
Energy Conservation Code (NMRECC).
(2) R101.2 Scope. Delete this section of the IECC and see
14.7.6.2 NMAC, Scope.
(3) R101.3 Intent. Delete this section of the IECC and see
14.7.6.6 NMAC, Objective.
(4) R101.5.1 Compliance materials. Delete this section of the IECC and
substitute the following: the code
official shall be permitted to approve specific computer software, worksheets,
compliance manuals and other similar materials that meet the intent of this
code, including but not limited to ComCheck, ResCheck, and worksheet or trade-off sheets from the New
Mexico energy conservation code residential applications manual, issued by the
New Mexico department of energy.
B. Section R102 Alternate Materials-Method of
Construction, Design for Insulating Systems. See this section of the IECC.
C. Section
R103 Construction Documents. Delete
this section of the IECC and see 14.5.2 NMAC, Permits except retain Section R103.2
as amended.
D. Section R103.2 Information on construction
documents. Delete section and substitute the following: Ducts shall be
installed in accordance with Chapter 6 and Chapter 17 of the New Mexico
Mechanical Code and current applicable standards.
E. Section R104 Fees. Delete this section of the IECC and see 14.5.5 NMAC, Fees.
F. Section
R105 Inspections. Delete this section of the IECC and see.
14.5.3 NMAC, General Provisions.
G. Section
R106 Validity. Delete this section of the IECC and see.
14.5.2.12 NMAC Permits.
H. Section
R107 Referenced Standards. All references to the international
residential code shall be deemed references to 14.7.3 NMAC, the New Mexico
Residential Building Code (NMRBC). All
references to the international plumbing code shall be deemed references to
14.8.2 NMAC, the New Mexico Plumbing Code (NMPC). All references to the international
mechanical code shall be deemed references to 14.9.2 NMAC, the New Mexico
Mechanical Code (NMMC). All references
to the ICC or International Electrical Code shall be deemed references to
14.10.4 NMAC, the New Mexico Electrical Code (NMEC). All references to the
international energy conservation code shall be deemed references to 14.7.6
NMAC, the New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (NMRECC). All references to
the international fuel gas code in the 2018 IECC are deemed references to the NMMC or the LP
gas standards found at 19.15.40 NMAC, and Sections 70-5-1 through 70-5-23 NMSA
1978.
I. Section R108 Stop Work Order. Delete this section of the IECC and see
14.5.3 NMAC, Inspections.
J. Section R109 Board of Appeals. Delete this section of the IECC and See
14.5.1 NMAC, General Provisions.
[14.7.6.9
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.9 NMAC, 9/25/2020;
14.7.6.10 CHAPTER 2 - DEFINITIONS: See this chapter of
the IECC residential provisions, adding the following definitions.
A. Section
R201.1 Scope. See this section of
the IECC and add the following: If the same term is defined in the New Mexico
construction codes and in the IECC, the term shall have the meaning given it in
the New Mexico construction codes.
B. Section R201.3 Terms defined in other codes. Delete this section of the IECC and
substitute with the following: Terms defined in the New Mexico
Residential Construction Code.
C. Section R201.4 Terms not defined in other codes.
See this chapter of the IECC.
D. Section R202
General Definitions. See this section of the IECC except as
provided below.
(1) Unconditioned
space. Add the following
definition: Space within a building that
is not mechanically heated or cooled and is outside the building thermal
envelope.
(2) Vapor retarder class. Add
the following definition: a measure of a material or assembly’s
ability to limit the amount of moisture that passes through that material or
assembly. Vapor retarder class shall be
defined using the desiccant method of ASTME96 as follows:
(a) class
I: 0.1 perm or less;
(b) class
II: > 0.1 perm 1.0
perm;
(c) class
III: > 1.0 perm <10
perm.
(3) NMRECC means 2018 New Mexico Residential
Energy Conservation Code.
(4) NMRBC means
14.7.3 NMAC, 2015 New Mexico Residential Building Code, which adopts by
reference and amends the 2015 International Residential code.
(5) NMPC means 2015 New Mexico
Plumbing Code, which adopts by reference and amends the 2015 Uniform Plumbing
Code.
(6) NMMC means 14.9.2 NMAC, NMMC 2015 New Mexico Mechanical Code,
which adopts by reference and amends the 2015 Uniform Mechanical Code.
(7) NMEC
means 14.10.4 NMAC, NMEC 2017 New Mexico Electrical Code, which adopts by
reference and amends the 2017 National Electrical Code.
(8) RESNET Software. Is an
approved software program to meet the performance requirements of the IECC.
(9) COMCHECK. Is
the residential energy compliance tool designed by the U.S. department of energy
(DOE) to clarify residential energy code compliance providing a user information whether building meets the requirements
of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1, as well
as state-specific codes.
(10) RESCHECK. A document describing the overall efficiency of the
insulation of a building which works by performing a simple U-factor x Area
(UA) calculation for each building assembly to determine the overall UA of a
building. The UA of the proposed project building is compared
to the code requirements.
(11) ASTM. Means the American society for testing and materials, an
international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary
consensus building technical standards for a wide range of materials utilized
in construction.
(12) HERS. Means
the home energy rating system index and is the industry standard by which a
home's energy efficiency is measured. It
is also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a
home's energy performance.
[14.7.6.10
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.10 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.11 CHAPTER R301 - CLIMATE ZONES: See this Chapter of
the IECC except delete the text of section 301.1 General and replace with the
following: the table below in
conjunction with Table 301.3(2) shall be used to determine the applicable
requirements for Chapters 4. Locations
not listed in the table below shall use either Table 301.1, Section 301.3, or
the building official may designate a climate zone consistent with the
elevation, HDD & CDD from the table below.
Table 301.2 New Mexico Climate Zones Based on Heating and Cooling
Degree Days |
|||||
City |
County |
Elev. (feet) |
Heating Degree Days (HDD) 65°F |
Cooling
Degree Days (CDD) 50°F day |
Climate Zone |
Abiquiu Dam |
Rio Arriba |
6380 |
5872 |
|
5B |
Angel Fire |
Colfax |
8406 |
9769 |
195 |
7B |
Alamogordo |
Otero |
4350 |
3053 |
5309 |
3B |
Albuquerque |
Bernalillo |
5312 |
4332 |
4462 |
4B |
Artesia |
Eddy |
3380 |
3366 |
5374 |
3B |
Aztec Ruins |
San Juan |
5644 |
5757 |
|
5B |
Belen |
Valencia |
4800 |
4432 |
5012 |
3B |
Bernalillo |
Sandoval |
5052 |
4782 |
4138 |
4B |
Bloomfield |
San Juan |
5456 |
5490 |
|
5B |
Bosque del Apache |
Socorro |
4520 |
3916 |
5012 |
3B |
Carlsbad |
Eddy |
3295 |
2813 |
5997 |
3B |
Carrizozo |
Lincoln |
5438 |
4234 |
3631 |
4B |
Cedar Crest |
Bernalillo |
6581 |
5703 |
|
5B |
Chaco Canyon |
San Juan |
6200 |
6137 |
|
5B |
Chama |
Rio Arriba |
7871 |
8254 |
|
6B |
Clayton |
Union |
5056 |
5150 |
3170 |
4B |
Cloudcroft |
Otero |
8801 |
7205 |
|
6B |
Clovis |
Curry |
4268 |
4033 |
4252 |
4B |
Corona |
Valencia |
6690 |
5389 |
3631 |
4B |
Cuba |
Sandoval |
7035 |
7122 |
|
5B |
Deming |
Luna |
4305 |
3347 |
5292 |
3B |
Dulce |
Rio Arriba |
6793 |
7979 |
|
6B |
Eagle Nest |
Colfax |
8262 |
9254 |
|
7B |
Edgewood |
Santa Fe |
6649 |
6146 |
|
5B |
Espanola |
Rio Arriba |
5643 |
5641 |
|
5B |
Farmington |
San Juan |
5395 |
5747 |
|
5B |
Fence Lake |
Cibola |
7055 |
6396 |
|
5B |
Fort Sumner |
De Baca |
4032 |
3799 |
4616 |
3B |
Gallup |
McKinley |
6465 |
6207 |
|
5B |
Glenwood |
Catron |
4725 |
3632 |
4427 |
4B |
Grants |
Cibola |
6460 |
6143 |
|
5B |
Hatch |
Dona Ana |
4052 |
3270 |
5904 |
3B |
Hobbs |
Lea |
3622 |
2954 |
5181 |
3B |
Jemez Springs |
Sandoval |
6198 |
5260 |
2059 |
4B |
Las Cruces |
Dona Ana |
4000 |
3223 |
5904 |
3B |
Las Vegas |
San Miguel |
6424 |
5738 |
|
5B |
Lordsburg |
Hidalgo |
4250 |
3213 |
5210 |
3B |
Los Alamos |
Los Alamos |
7320 |
6381 |
|
5B |
Los Lunas |
Valencia |
4856 |
4725 |
4462 |
4B |
Magdalena |
Socorro |
6572 |
5074 |
2093 |
4B |
Mescalero |
Otero |
6611 |
5540 |
|
5B |
Moriarty |
Torrance |
6220 |
4735 |
3786 |
4B |
Mosquero |
Harding |
5485 |
5209 |
3631 |
4B |
Mountainair |
Torrance |
6520 |
5558 |
|
5B |
Organ |
Dona Ana |
5245 |
3215 |
4919 |
3B |
Placitas |
Sandoval |
5955 |
4917 |
3701 |
4B |
Portales |
Roosevelt |
4006 |
3845 |
4347 |
4B |
Raton |
Colfax |
6680 |
6001 |
|
5B |
Red River |
Taos |
8671 |
8742 |
179 |
7B |
Reserve |
Catron |
5847 |
5483 |
|
5B |
Rio Rancho |
Sandoval |
5282 |
4880 |
3949 |
4B |
Roswell |
Chaves |
3573 |
3565 |
5505 |
3B |
Ruidoso |
Lincoln |
6920 |
6309 |
|
5B |
Sandia Crest |
Bernalillo |
10680 |
10034 |
|
7B |
Sandia Park |
Bernalillo |
7077 |
7510 |
|
6B |
Santa Fe |
Santa Fe |
7260 |
6001 |
|
5B |
Santa Rosa |
Guadalupe |
4620 |
3749 |
4714 |
3B |
Shiprock |
San Juan |
4892 |
5475 |
|
5B |
Silver City |
Grant |
5895 |
4438 |
3975 |
4B |
Socorro |
Socorro |
4603 |
3984 |
5147 |
3B |
Springer |
Colfax |
5797 |
5653 |
|
5B |
Taos |
Taos |
6967 |
6827 |
|
5B |
Taos Ski Valley |
Taos |
9321 |
9769 |
|
7B |
Tatum |
Lea |
3999 |
3680 |
4721 |
3B |
Thoreau |
McKinley |
7200 |
5789 |
|
5B |
Tierra Amarilla |
Rio Arriba |
7425 |
7901 |
|
6B |
Tijeras |
Bernalillo |
6322 |
6338 |
|
5B |
Tohatchi |
McKinley |
6447 |
5418 |
|
5B |
Truth or Consequences |
Sierra |
4245 |
3394 |
5103 |
3B |
Tucumcari |
Quay |
4096 |
3767 |
4429 |
4B |
Tularosa |
Otero |
4508 |
3056 |
5130 |
3B |
Zuni |
McKinley |
6293 |
5742 |
|
5B |
[14.7.6.11
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.11 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.12 CHAPTER 4 - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY
EFFICIENCY:
See this Chapter of the IECC except for the following:
A. R401.2
Compliance. Delete the text of this
section and replace with the following:
projects shall comply with 401 through 404, which are mandatory
provisions, and additionally comply with one of the following:
(1) Documents
showing 2018 IECC Code Compliance, residential provisions approved by CID or
worksheet trade-off sheets from the New Mexico energy conservation code
residential applications manual; or
(2) Section
R405.
(3) The
energy rating index (ERI) approach in Section R406.
(4) The approved
sampling protocols included in Chapter 6 of the National Standard for Home
Energy Ratings.
(5) Code
programs recognized by the state of New Mexico such as Build Green New Mexico
or LEED-H, approved under IECC section 102.1.1, except strike the last sentence
that reads: The requirements identified
as “mandatory” in Chapter 4 shall be met.
B. R402.2.8 Floors. Delete the
text of this section and replace with the following: Floor framing-cavity insulation when
separating conditioned and non-conditioned space shall be installed to maintain
permanent contact with the underside of the subfloor decking.
Exception:
As an alternative, the floor framing-cavity insulation shall be in contact with
the topside of sheathing or continuous insulation installed on the bottom side
of floor framing where combined with insulation that meets or exceeds the
minimum wood frame wall R-value in Table R402.1.2 and that extends from the
bottom to the top of all perimeter floor-framing members.
C. R402.4.1 Building thermal envelope. Amending to read as follows: The building thermal envelope shall comply
with Sections R402.4.1.1 and R402.4.1.3 with optional compliance of R402.4.1.2
by all counties not mentioned in subsection F below.
D. R402.4.1.2 Testing. Amend to read as
follows: The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having
an air leakage rate not exceeding four air changes per hour in Climate Zones 1
thru 8. Testing shall be conducted in
accordance with RESNET/ICC 380, ASTM E779 or ASTM E1827 and reported at a
pressure of 0.2 inch w.g. (50 Pascals).
E. R402.4.1.3
Visual Inspection Option. Add the
following section: Building envelope tightness, and insulation installation
shall be considered acceptable with the items listed in Table 402.1.2 applicable
to the method of construction, if field verified by either the builder, a code
official, or an energy rater using the state of New Mexico acceptable
processes. Acceptable processes include a
thermal bypass visual inspection checklist, a thermal bypass certification or
checklist from a HERS rater, a Build green NM checklist, or an energy star program
checklist from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources
Department.
F. R402.4.1.4 Based
on census. Add new section to read as follows:
Based on census rural urban mapping the following areas will
be required to comply with R402.4.1, R402.4.1.2 Testing and R403.3.3 Duct
testing: San Juan County, Sandoval County, Santa Fe County, Bernalillo County,
Torrance County, and Dona County.
G. R402.4.1.5 State of
New Mexico Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist and Duct
Sealing Visual Inspection Checklist. Add new
section to read as follows: In
accordance with section R402.4.1, R402.4.1.2 and R403.3.3 thermal bypass
inspection checklist and Duct Sealing Visual Inspection
Checklist will be provided at the time of issuance of building permit or can also
be accessed at www.rld.State.nm.us/construction under forms and applications.
H. R403.1.1 Programmable thermostat. The thermostat controlling the primary heating
or cooling system of the dwelling unit shall be capable of controlling the
heating and cooling system on a daily schedule to maintain different
temperature setpoints at different times of the day. This thermostat shall include the capability
to set back or temporarily operate the system to maintain zone temperatures of
not less than 55°F (13°C) to not greater than 85°F (29°C). The thermostat shall be programmed initially
by the manufacturer with a heating temperature setpoint
of not greater than 70°F (21°C) and a cooling temperature setpoint
of not less than 78°F.
Exceptions:
(1) When
a water circulation system is utilized to heat and/or cool the residence, no
programmable set back thermostat is required.
(2) Where
the home is registered in a performance-based certification program, the
requirements for a programmable thermostat shall be waived.
(3) Where
approved alternative methods of construction and/or materials are being used,
programmable thermostats may be omitted.
I. R403.3.3
Duct testing (Mandatory). Add the
following Exception: (3.) Duct sealing shall be considered in compliance with
R403.3.3 when field, verified by either the builder, a
code official, or an energy rater using the state of New Mexico duct sealing
visual inspection checklist.
J. R403.4 Mechanical system piping insulation
(Mandatory). Add the following Exception: In-floor radiant heating or
cooling systems do not require insulation.
[14.7.6.12
NMAC - Rp, 14.7.6.12 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.13 CHAPTER 5
- BUILDINGS:
See this Chapter of the IECC.
[14.7.6.13
NMAC - Rp 14.7.6.13 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
14.7.6.14 CHAPTER 6 - REFERENCED STANDARDS: See this Chapter of
the IECC.
[14.7.6.14
NMAC - Rp 14.7.6.14 NMAC, 9/25/2020]
HISTORY OF 14.7.6 NMAC:
Pre NMAC
History:
None.
History of
Repealed Material:
14.7.6 NMAC, 2003 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
5/27/2004) repealed 1/7/2004.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2006 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
8/16/2007) repealed 1/28/2011.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
12/28/2010) repealed 8/1/2011.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
6/15/2011) repealed 6/28/2013.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
6/28/2013) repealed 9/25/2020.
NMAC History:
14.7.6 NMAC, 2003 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
5/27/2004) replaced by 14.7.6 NMAC, 2006 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, effective 1/1/2008.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2006 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
8/1622007) replaced by 14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico New Mexico Energy
Conservation Code, effective 1/28/2011.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
12/28/2010) replaced by 14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, effective 8/1/2011.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
6/15/2011) replaced by 14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, effective 6/28/2013.
14.7.6 NMAC, 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (filed
6/28/2013) replaced by 14.7.6 NMAC, 2018 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, effective 9/25/2020.