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Massachusetts "Stretch Code" Offers Higher Efficiency Building Code
State of Massachusetts
Ian Finlayson
ian.finlayson@state.ma.us
617-626-4910
Marc Breslow
marc.breslow@state.ma.us
617-626-1105.
The Stretch Code would be an optional part of the state’s building code that would require higher levels of energy efficiency in new buildings and major renovations than is required by the base code. The state has developed the Stretch Code in response to the desire of several municipalities to mandate greater efficiency in local construction, but under state law municipalities are not allowed to vary from the state code. The Stretch Code would give cities and towns an option, but because it is a single option there would be uniformity across the state among communities that want to require higher efficiency standards.
Energy and dollar savings on new homes: For new homes the Stretch Code would require a Home Energy Rating Sys-tem (HERS) rating of 60, which means about 40% lower energy use than a home built to the standard code. Modeling estimates that the extra construction cost would be about $8,100 (above the 2006 base code, somewhat less compared to the soon-to-be adopted 2009 base code), which would mean about $530 a year when rolled into a 30 year mortgage. But annual energy costs would go down about $1,360, for a net savings to the homeowner of $830 a year. Moreover, much of the extra construction cost will be covered by subsidies from the utilities.
Homes being built to Stretch Code level now: in 2008, of about 1,000 Energy Star homes that were built in Mass., 225 had a HERS rating of 60 or below, meeting the proposed Stretch Code level.
Home renovations: For expansions or major renovations of existing homes, a HERS rating would only be required when feasible. Otherwise, construction would have to follow the requirements of the federal Energy Star for Homes program, on items such as air sealing and insulation. Modeling shows that people renovating their homes would also save more money than the extra costs, although the gains are smaller than with new homes.
Savings on new commercial buildings: For new commercial buildings, there are several options for meeting the Stretch Code, depending on the type of building, and all are based on national standards. Commercial renovations would be ex-empt for now. Modeling and actual experience shows that energy savings exceed increased construction costs. For ex-ample, on one mid-sized office building in Warwick, Rhode Island, extra construction costs were $91,000, and annual energy savings were $29,000. But National Grid provided rebates of $63,000, reducing the initial cost to $28,000, for a one-year payback in energy savings.
Commercial exemptions: commercial renovations, commercial buildings under 5,000 square feet, and specialty com-mercial buildings under 100,000 square feet (supermarkets, laboratories, warehouses) are all exempt from the proposal.
What to do: Send statements of support by the April 10 deadline for comments to the Board of Building Regulation and Standards (BBRS): Mike.Guigli@state.ma.us
For more information: See the documents posted on the BBRS Stretch Code web page.
