There’s an app for that: Energy calculator

Leesburg, Virginia-based The American Wood Council (AWC) released an app that will calculate an opaque wall or fenestration U-factor.

The calculation is, of course, based on the Total UA alternative compliance method permitted by the International Code Council’s 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or International Residential Code (IRC).

This new Energy UA Calculator is consistent with AWC’s Design for Code Acceptance 7, “Meeting Residential Energy Requirements with Wood-Frame Construction.”

The app is available on iOS and Android devices, and on the AWC website at: www.awc.org/codes-standards/calculators-software.

”The model energy codes provide multiple alternatives to achieve compliance, including the Total UA method,” said AWC Vice President of Codes & Regulations Kenneth Bland.  “As energy codes become more demanding, it is worth noting the alternative UA method provides a path for the continued use of traditional wood wall assemblies. Our hope is that users will find the app to be valuable for identifying code-compliant wall assemblies.”