Stretch Code Benefits

Higher upfront cost, but strong long term savings Lower energy bills about 20% annual savings Concurrent National Grid and NSTAR incentives. Example: Up to $1250 rebate from the utility per home for a HERS rating of 65 for a new home. Increase in property value Tax incentives and credits Fulfills Criteria 5 for the Green Communities Act

Stretch Energy Code

Green Communities Act Interactive Qualifying Project

For more information visit mass.gov Key word: DOER Stretch Code

Currently 95 municipalities have adopted the Stretch Code as of June 20, 2011 As of June 19, 2011, 74 municipalities in Massachusetts have been designated as Green Communities.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 E-mail: iqpkjrgreen@gmail.com

Project Team Students Jennifer Henriquez Deborah Silva Joe Szafarowicz

What is the Stretch Code?

THE STRETCH ENERGY

CODE IS AN

What is the Green Communities Act?

Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

APPENDIX TO THE CURRENT

MASSACHUSETTS
BUILDING CODE THAT IS A CRITICAL PORTION OF THE

STATE OF

MASSACHUSETTS GREEN COMMUNITIES ACT. SERVING AS CRITERION 5, THE STRETCH CODE ASKS
THE CITY OR TOWN IN QUESTION TO IMPLEMENT A MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING CODE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE ONE CURRENTLY IN PLACE. THIS

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ambitious attempt to reduce energy use 5 Criteria that target different areas of energy consumption from residential to municipal use Grants Green Community status to city/town - Qualifier for Grant Program Raises awareness of energy and carbon reduction!

HERS involves an analysis of a homes construction plans and onsite inspections A HERS rater can preform an energy analysis with an energy efficiently software package, Raters will work with the builder to identify the energy efficiency improvements that might be needed Based on a index where a HERS index of 100 indicates that the home has the same efficiency as the HERS Reference Home based on the 2004 International Energy Code while an index of 0 indicates the home has a zero net use of energy The lower the score, the more efficient HERS rating is needed to meet ENERGY STAR performance guidelines

Stretch Code Changes

CODE PRESENTS THE CITY OR TOWN

WITH A MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVE IN

Purpose: Reduce energy usage of buildings by roughly 20%. Utilizes a HERS Rating System Size and type of build affect standards differently (separate flyer available) If adopted, the stretch code will go into effect July 1, 2012 - Before then, concurrent with existing building code

CONSTRUCTION BY TARGETING

THE HIGHEST USES OF ENERGY WITHIN THE DESIGNING AND INSTALLATION PROCESSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: INSULATION, LIGHTING,

APPLIANCES, AND HEATING SYSTEMS.