Exterior Masonry Walls and Energy Code Compliance

Achieving energy code compliance is becoming increasingly more difficult using the code prescriptive methods. Whole building analysis is one alternative method that will produce more cost effective designs for exterior masonry assemblies. This lesson provides an overview of energy code provisions, reviews energy studies performed utilizing whole building analysis, and provides recommendations for cost effective energy efficient solutions for energy efficient exterior masonry wall designs.

Learning Objectives:

• Contrast prescriptive energy code compliance with whole building analysis. Understand what building systems most affect energy use in buildings
• Describe how thermal bridging and thermal mass affect energy code compliance.
• Discuss payback cost of whole building analysis identified energy improvements.
• Understand cost effective energy efficient exterior masonry wall design.