Boston – Forty cities and towns across the state of Massachusetts have adopted new energy efficiency standards for residential and commercial construction in their communities. Adoption of the so-called “Stretch Code” satisfies one of five criteria cities and towns must meet to be designated as “Green Communities” under a Department of Energy Resources (DOER) program that will distribute approximately $7 million in renewable energy and energy conservation grants to eligible communities in its first grant round this summer.
“By committing to the ‘Stretch Code,’ these cities and towns have recognized the enormous opportunity for savings that comes with making homes, schools, offices and other buildings in their communities more energy efficient,” said Governor Patrick.
The optional Stretch Code is an appendix to the Massachusetts Building Code approved by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards in May 2009. In communities that adopt it, the Stretch Code increases the energy efficiency code requirements for all new residential and many new commercial buildings, as well as residential renovations and additions that would normally trigger building code requirements.
Requiring approximately 20 percent greater energy efficiency than the existing base energy code in new residential buildings and 20 percent in new commercial buildings, the Stretch Code will produce significant energy cost savings for local homeowners and businesses that occupy these buildings. The code appendix applies to all residential buildings from single family homes up to and including buildings three stories or less of any size, and many kinds of new commercial buildings over 5,000sf, but excluding facilities with unusual energy usage requirements such as supermarkets, laboratories and warehouses up to 40,000sf.