Washington Energy Code Correction Notices: Common Rejections and How to Fix Them

Missing R406.2 and R406.3 energy credits

Washington's prescriptive path requires credits from both Table R406.2 (Carbon Emission Equalization) and Table R406.3, totaling the minimum for your dwelling size.

1. Find your tier — Small (<1500 sf and <300 sf fenestration) = 5.0, Medium = 8.0, Large (>5000 sf) = 9.0, R-2 = 6.5.
2. Pick your R406.2 heating-system credit plus enough R406.3 options to reach the total.
3. List every selected option and its point value on the permit drawings — that listing is required.

See our guide on how many energy credits you need.

Blower door test failed / ACH50 too high

The maximum tested air leakage is 4.0 ACH50 at 50 Pa (R402.4.1.3.1); above that you must re-seal and re-test.

1. Seal the usual leak paths — top plates, rim joists, penetrations, can lights — and re-test to 4.0 ACH50 or lower.
2. Additions under 500 sf of conditioned floor area are exempt from the test itself (R402.4.1.2).
3. If you claimed an air-leakage credit (option 2.1/2.2/2.3), you must hit that tighter number AND show the required HRV on the plans.

See our air sealing guide.

Total UA Alternative fails / area-weighted U-factor correction

Under the Total UA alternative (R402.1.5) your proposed conductive UA must be at or below the code target, and prescriptive glazing must hit an area-weighted average U-factor of 0.30 or lower.

1. Recompute the area-weighted average window U-factor (sum of U×area ÷ total glazing area) — it must be 0.30 or lower.
2. For the Total UA path, lower proposed UA below target with better glazing, more insulation, or an envelope-credit tier.
3. Submit the glazing schedule and UA worksheet with the permit set.

See our guide on the UA trade-off path.

Missing glazing schedule

A glazing schedule listing each window and door's U-factor and area — plus the area-weighted average — is required to document fenestration compliance.

1. List every window and door with U-factor, SHGC, and area.
2. Compute the area-weighted average U-factor (0.30 or lower for the prescriptive path).
3. Include it in your permit submittal.

Use the C3 calculator to generate a compliant glazing schedule automatically.

Do I need energy credits for an addition?

It depends on size: additions of 150 sf or less are exempt from R406 (R502.1.1); 150–500 sf require 2.0 credits; over 500 sf use the whole-home size tier.

1. Measure the addition's conditioned floor area.
2. 150 sf or less → no R406 credits; 150–500 sf → 2.0 credits; over 500 sf → small/medium/large tier by total conditioned area.
3. Document the selected options on the drawings.

See our guide on additions and remodels.

Heat pump changeover temperature not documented

If you claimed the Table R406.2 credit for a dual-fuel system (heat pump with combustion backup, System Type 2), the heat pump must operate at all temperatures above 38°F before the backup engages, and the plans must show it.

1. Set the changeover so the heat pump runs down to 38°F and the backup only engages below that.
2. Note the changeover temperature on the mechanical plans.
3. Confirm the equipment matches the credit claimed.

See our heating system credits guide.