Section 136.06. Conservation standards for conversion of an existing residential structure to an electric spaceheating system.

 

(1)  The provisions of this section shall apply only to those investor-owned utilities set forth below:

(a) Lake Superior district power company

(b) Madison gas and electric company

(c) Northern states power company

(d) Superior water, light and power company

(e) Wisconsin electric power company

(f) Wisconsin power and light company

(g) Wisconsin public service corporation

(2)  Nothing in s. PSC 136.06 shall preclude special and individual consideration being given to exceptional or unusual situations. The rule may be modified or waived by the public service commission in particular cases whenever it is shown to be impracticable for special reasons. Upon due investigation of the facts and circumstances involved and after hearing if required, the commission may order requirements as to individual utilities or service which shall be lesser, greater, other, or different from those provided in the rules of this section.

(3)  Before electric spaceheating service may be furnished to an existing residential structure converting to an electric spaceheating system, each utility listed in sub. (1) shall perform an energy audit and require that the following conservation standards be met:

(a) Ceiling or attic. If the structure has ceiling or attic insulating material with insulation value less than R-19, the customer shall install insulation to a level of R-38. If inadequate space exists between ceiling and roof to install insulation to the level of R-38, then the customer shall install as much insulation as space permits.

(b) Sill box. Sill box area insulation shall be installed to a level of R-19, unless physically impractical.

(c) Floor. In accessible areas, floor insulation over vented crawl spaces or unheated basements shall be installed to a level of R-19. In heated crawl spaces, insulation with an R factor of 5 shall be installed on the walls.

(d) Unheated areas. In unheated areas, insulation shall be installed on all heating ducts, cold air returns, and hot water pipes.

(e) Windows. Windows shall be double-glazed or have storms.

(f) Outside doors. Each door exposed to the outside atmosphere shall have a storm door or equivalent insulated door.

(g) Weatherstripping and caulking. Weatherstripping shall be installed on all movable doors and windows exposed to an unheated space. Caulking shall be installed whenever two different materials or parts of a structure meet, such as areas around chimney openings, around windows and doors, and similar areas.

(h) Side walls. Where no insulation exists in accessible outside walls, side wall insulation of R-11 shall be installed.

(i) Ventilation. A free ventilating area of not less than 1/300 of the horizontal area shall be installed above ceiling or attic insulation.

(j) Substituted standards. For existing residential structures unable to meet the conversion standards required by this section, other methods of energy conservation may be substituted if the energy savings are equivalent. Substitutions shall be based on heat loss calculations performed by the utility.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1985, No. 350 , eff. 3-1-85.

Note

If the structure's ceiling or attic is insulated to a value of not less than R-11 and the customer chooses to add batt insulation, the additional insulation need only have a value of R-19. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 One-half of venting near the eaves and the other half near the top of the roof is recommended. Where no vapor barrier is present, a free ventilating area of not less than 1/150 of the horizontal area is recommended. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1