As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Self-acting, operating by an internal mechanism when actuated
by some impersonal influence, as for example, a change in current
strength, pressure, temperature or mechanical configuration.
An automatic control device actuated by temperature, and
designed to be responsive to temperature, capable of automatically
reducing its setpoint temperature during a predesignated period.
A space of full-story height below the first floor of a building
which is not designed or used primarily for living accommodations.
A basement in a dwelling which is not provided with a heat
source sufficient to maintain a minimum temperature of 50° F.
British thermal units per hour.
A combination of any materials; whether portable or fixed,
forming a structure in which energy usage takes place in the normal
course, affording shelter for persons or property.
The Building Inspector of the City of Plattsburgh, New York.
The City of Plattsburgh, New York.
The amount of heat transfer through a material or arrangement
of material expressed in Btuh per square foot per degree Fahrenheit
of temperature difference. For outside surfaces, the wind velocity
is 15 miles per hour. The coefficient of heat transmission is represented
by the symbol "U." For wood frame construction, the effect of normal
framing members may be neglected in the determination of U values.
An overall coefficient of heat gain expressed in units of
Btuh per square foot as calculated using Equation 1.[1]
Any building that cannot be classified as a dwelling or mobile
home.
Any unfinished, accessible space below the first floor which
is less than full-story height.
A crawl space in a one- or two-family dwelling or multifamily
dwelling which is not provided with a heat source sufficient to maintain
a minimum temperature of 50° F.
A building, other than a mobile home, designed or used as
a living unit for one or more families.
An engineering analysis which shall consider all possible
energy conservation measures and shall identify the estimated costs
and energy cost savings likely to be realized from their implementation.
The amount of heat, measured in Btuh, transferred from one
location to another as a result of the temperature difference in the
two locations.
Any space within the building which is provided with a heat
source sufficient to meet the design dry bulb temperature, but which
is neither a heated basement nor heated crawl space as determined
by application of the definitions in this section.
A heating system using primarily liquid or gaseous water
to distribute heating energy throughout the building.
Any material which has a relatively high resistance to heat
flow, and which is used principally to retard the flow of heat.
A dwelling or portion thereof, providing complete living
facilities for one family, including permanent provision for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which
is eight body feet or more in width and is 32 body feet or more in
length and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be
used as a dwelling, with or without permanent foundation, when connected
to the required utilities and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning
and electrical systems contained therein.
The Municipal Lighting Department of the City of Plattsburgh,
New York.
The Power Authority of the State of New York.
An automatic control device capable of reducing the setpoint
temperature of several thermostats during a predesignated period.
A combination of central or terminal equipment or components
and/or controls, accessories, interconnecting means and terminal devices
by which energy is transformed so as to perform a specific function,
such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, service water heating
or illumination.
An automatic control valve designed to be responsive to room
air temperature.
A municipal electric system which receives its full power
requirement from the Power Authority.
A space or group of spaces within a building with heating
and/or cooling requirements sufficiently similar so that comfort conditions
can be maintained throughout by a single controlling device.
[1]
Editor's Note: Equation 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
Existing dwellings converting to electric heat shall meet the
following requirements:
A.Â
Minimum insulation standards.
(1)Â
The maximum coefficient of heat transmission (U value) through roof
and ceiling assemblies adjacent to heated space shall be 0.03.
(2)Â
The maximum coefficient of heat transmission of floors over an unheated
basement shall be 0.08.
(3)Â
The dwelling shall have storm windows or thermal windows with multiple
glazing with a maximum U value of 0.69.
(4)Â
The entrances to the dwelling shall have storm doors or thermal doors
with a maximum U value of 0.40.
(5)Â
Vapor barriers, weatherstripping and window caulking shall be used
where applicable and practical.
B.Â
Minimum heating system standards.
(1)Â
For systems using baseboard radiation, one of the following control
methods is required.
(2)Â
For the conversion from a fossil-fuel hydronic heating system to
electric heat:
(a)Â
Conversion of an existing fossil-fuel boiler to an electric
resistance boiler is prohibited.
(b)Â
An electric boiler specifically designed for use as a heating
boiler with the appropriate American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) approvals shall be installed.
(c)Â
One of the following control methods is required:
(3)Â
For the installation of an electric resistance warm-air system or
conversion of a fossil-fueled warm-air heating system to electric
resistance heat, the following is required:
(4)Â
For heat pump systems, an automatic setback thermostat shall be required.
(5)Â
For all electric heating system conversions, existing fireplaces
shall be equipped with a tight-fitting shutoff damper and, where applicable,
a source of combustion air-ducted from the outdoors of sufficient
quantity to support combustion shall be installed. This source shall
be equipped with a damper capable of being fully closed.
C.Â
In unusual circumstances, when the application of these provisions
appears impracticable or inequitable, the City will refer the matter
to the Power Authority for special ruling or for the approval of special
conditions which may be mutually agreed upon. The applicant will submit,
along with the request for special ruling or for the approval of special
conditions, a copy of an energy audit performed on the building by
a registered architect or professional engineer.
Existing commercial buildings converting to electric heat shall
meet the following:
A.Â
Minimum insulation standards.
(1)Â
The maximum combined thermal transmittance value for exterior wall
systems, Uo as calculated using Equation 1[1] shall be 0.28.
[1]
Editor's Note: Equation 1 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(2)Â
The maximum coefficient of heat transmission (U value) for roof and
ceiling assemblies adjacent to heated space shall be 0.06.
(3)Â
The maximum coefficient of heat transmission of floors over an unheated
basement shall be 0.08.
(4)Â
Vapor barriers, weatherstripping and window caulking shall be used
where applicable and practical.
B.Â
Minimum heating system standards.
(1)Â
The system shall have at least one independent zone per floor.
(3)Â
For the conversion from a fossil-fueled hydronic heating system to
electric heat:
(4)Â
Where electric heating is to be used for zone temperature control
in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, the following
control methods are required:
(a)Â
Reheat systems. Systems employing reheat and serving multiple
zones (other than those employing variable air volume for temperature
control) shall be provided with control that will automatically reset
the system's cold air supply to the highest temperature level
that will satisfy the zone requiring the coolest air. Single-zone
reheat systems shall be controlled to sequence reheat and cooling.
(b)Â
Dual duct and multizone systems. These systems shall be provided
with controls to reset the cold-deck air supply to the highest temperature
that will satisfy the zone requiring the coldest air and to reset
the hot-deck air supply to the lowest temperature that will satisfy
the zone requiring the warmest air.
C.Â
In unusual circumstances, when the application of these standards
appears impractical or inequitable, the City will refer the matter
to the Power Authority for special ruling or for the approval of special
conditions which may be mutually agreed upon. The applicant will submit,
along with the request for special ruling or for the approval of special
conditions, a copy of an energy audit performed on the building by
a registered architect or professional engineer.
A.Â
Existing mobile homes converting to electric heat [built prior to
the effective date of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards] shall meet the
following requirements:
B.Â
Unusual circumstances. In unusual circumstances, when the application
of these standards appears impractical or inequitable, the City will
refer the matter to the Power Authority for special ruling or for
the approval of special conditions which may be mutually agreed upon.
The applicant will submit, along with the request for special ruling
or for the approval of special conditions, a copy of an energy audit
performed on the building by a registered architect or professional
engineer.
The standards specified herein shall be effective on and after
September 1, 1981, as a precondition for the expansion of existing
electric service for the purpose of providing electric heat to all
existing buildings and to existing mobile homes not subject to HUD
Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards.
A.Â
The requirements imposed by these standards represent the minimum
standards of the Power Authority for existing buildings and mobile
homes for which utilities may provide electric service. These standards
are not intended to supersede more stringent municipal requirements
or standards nor are they intended in any way to contravene the State
Energy Conservation Construction Code Act (SECCA).
B.Â
The thermal protection for mobile homes is controlled by the Department
of Housing and Urban Development Mobile Home Construction and Safety
Standards. In accordance with the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974, Title VI (cited as the National Mobile Home Construction
and Safety Standards Act of 1974), the federal standards take precedence
over all state or local standards.
To ensure compliance with the minimum insulation and heating
system standards, the following procedures will be observed:
A.Â
Building permit applications for conversion of existing buildings
or mobile homes to electric heat shall include the following data:
(1)Â
Heat load calculations for the building or mobile home.
(2)Â
For commercial buildings, combined thermal heat transmission calculations utilizing Equation 1 (included as an attachment to this chapter).
(3)Â
Plans and/or specifications for the building or mobile home showing
that the scope of work is in compliance with the requirements of this
chapter. Plans and/or specifications must show sufficient detail such
as location of thermostats to document full compliance with the requirements
of this chapter.
B.Â
Inspections of the building or mobile home will be made by an authorized
representative of the City at appropriate times during the work period
to inspect the work in progress. The owner of the building or mobile
home shall notify the Building Inspector when the building or mobile
home is ready for inspection. At least 24 hours' advance notice
shall be given when requesting inspection.
C.Â
Prior to connection of electrical service for heating, the Municipal Lighting Department will require a certificate of compliance stating that the required minimum insulation and heating standards prescribed herein have been met. The certificate of compliance shall be signed by the contractor, owner and Building Inspector. The certificate of compliance for expansion of existing electrical service for the purpose of conversion to electric heat is included at the end of this chapter.
