Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC) is a model code developed by the
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (
IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of
solar energy
Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating), and solar architecture. It is an ...
,
hydronic heating/cooling systems, and
geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the Earth's crust which originates from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials in currently uncertain but possibly roughly equal proportions. The high temperature and pre ...
systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.
The USHGC is developed using the
American National Standards Institute
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI ) is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organ ...
's consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on
solar energy
Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating), and solar architecture. It is an ...
,
hydronic heating/cooling systems, and
geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the Earth's crust which originates from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials in currently uncertain but possibly roughly equal proportions. The high temperature and pre ...
practices.
History
Recognizing the necessity for a solar energy code to be adopted by jurisdictions as a means of regulating such systems, IAPMO passed a resolution at its 1975 annual
business conference to form a technical committee for the development of such a document.
After several months of work, this committee, composed of individuals representing industry,
public utility
A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and ...
companies, inspectors, plumbers, and engineers, completed the Uniform Solar Energy Code's (USEC) first edition and in September 1976 this document was adopted by IAPMO.
In December 2011, the Radiant Professionals Alliance joined IAPMO and soon after work began to incorporate hydronic heating/cooling provisions into the USEC to be released in 2015 as the Uniform Solar Energy and Hydronics Code (USEHC).
2018 Edition
Though
geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the Earth's crust which originates from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials in currently uncertain but possibly roughly equal proportions. The high temperature and pre ...
is not new in the 2018 edition, the title for the 2018 edition was revised to clarify that the code also pertains to
geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the Earth's crust which originates from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials in currently uncertain but possibly roughly equal proportions. The high temperature and pre ...
systems. The 2018 Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC) represents the most current approaches in the solar energy, hydronics and geothermal field.
Content
* Chapter 1 - Administration
* Chapter 2 - Definitions
* Chapter 3 - General Regulations
* Chapter 4 - Hydronics
* Chapter 5 - Solar Thermal Systems
* Chapter 6 - Thermal Storage
* Chapter 7 - Geothermal Energy Systems
* Chapter 8 - Duct Systems
* Chapter 9 - Solar Photovoltaic Systems
* Chapter 10 - Referenced Standards
* Appendix A - Engineered Solar Energy Systems
* Appendix B - Solar Photovoltaic System Installation Guidelines
* Appendix C - Supplemental Checklist for Solar Photovoltaic Systems
See also
*
IAPMO
*
IAPMO Standards
*
IAPMO R&T
*
Thermal energy storage
*
Uniform Codes
*
Uniform Plumbing Code
*
Uniform Mechanical Code
*
Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
*
Building officials
*
Building inspection
External links
Uniform Solar, Hydronics & Geothermal Code Website
References
1975 Uniform Solar Energy Code Resolution1976 Uniform Solar Energy Code Advertisement1976 IAPMO Conference Wrap1976 San Gabriel Valley Tribune ReprintFirst USEC Technical CommitteeRPA Membership Ratifies Move to IAPMOIAPMO Seeking Technical Committee Members
Safety codes
Plumbing