Technology Assessment Division
Residential Energy Conservation Code
Current Code
Effective January 1, 2007, all 1- & 2-family dwellings in the State of Louisiana must meet the Energy Conservation requirements (Part IV – Chapter 11) of the 2006 edition of the International Residential Code (2006 IRC)
Complying with the Energy Code
Documenting compliance with the Part IV – Energy Conservation of the 2006 IRC is done via the use of the software REScheck™. This software is a product of the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. REScheck™ can be downloaded at www.energycodes.gov. The user may also elect to use REScheck-Web™, an online tool which does not need to be downloaded. However, to save files when using REScheck-Web™ the user must register and sign in.
After downloading the software and selecting the applicable code (2006 IRC), the required design characteristics of the proposed building are entered into each tab via pull-down menus. After entering all data, the compliance forms (Envelope, Lighting and Mechanical) are printed, signed and mailed to the State Fire Marshal's office with the contract documents.
For more information, view DENR’s Residential Energy Code Fact Sheet.
History
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged and/or destroyed a substantial portion of the residential building stock in Louisiana in 2005, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources, and Louisiana’s elected officials recognized the need for a statewide building code. ACT 12 of the first extraordinary session of 2005 (R.S. 40:1730.1) created the first Louisiana Statewide Uniform Construction Code as well as the Louisiana Statewide Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) which is tasked with administering the code. It was the first implementation of a statewide residential energy code and went into effect in January of 2007 and required the adoption of the 2006 IRC, including Part IV – Energy Conservation. Section N1103.2.1 was amended to allow supply and return ducts to be insulated to a minimum of R-6.