Stretch code would help town meet ‘green community’ requirements

DOUGLAS -- New buildings could become more energy efficient if the town adopts an optional “stretch” energy code as part of the state Green Communities Act, consultants from ICF International told selectmen at an information session this week.

The stretch code, one of five steps toward a town’s designation as a green community and related eligibility for state grants, would achieve approximately 20 percent more energy efficiency compared to the state base code known as International Energy Conservation Code 2009.

Michael Berry, project manager, and Leiran Biton, associate at ICF International, said the stretch code, if adopted by voters, would apply to all new residential and commercial construction, as well as residential additions and renovations and commercial additions.

The stretch code requires builders to follow a performance-based approach to designing new homes for energy efficiency. It focuses on improving the building’s “envelope” tightness, which is often a source of heat loss; duct testing; and requiring at least 50 percent of all lighting to be high efficiency.

In addition and renovation projects, only the part of the building that’s being worked on would have to meet the new code.

Mr. Berry explained that while construction costs under the new code would be slightly higher than the base code — an estimated 1 percent to 3 percent for commercial buildings and $3,000 for a typical single-family home — homeowners would see savings from lower energy costs within the first year. Financial incentives offered by utilities and through tax credits would increase the savings.

In addition to life-cycle cost and energy savings, Mr. Berry said, adopting the stretch code would give municipalities a head start on what the base code is expected to include in its revision next year. Many towns had been requesting a more stringent energy code, and the state Board of Building Regulations and Standards developed the stretch code as one alternative that would be consistent statewide.

More than 30 communities in Massachusetts have adopted the stretch code. Worcester has adopted the stretch code, and Millbury and Sutton are other Blackstone Valley towns that are examining it, Mr. Berry said.