A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
Green Communities Act Explained
1. Stretch Building Code
Green Communities Act
Jennifer Henriquez • Deborah Silva • Joe Szafarowicz
2. Green Communities Act
• Ambitious energy legislation passed
in 2008
• First state in the US to pass
something like this
• Creates the Green Communities
Program
3. Green Communities Program
• There is $10 million per year in
funding to towns & cities
• Consists of 5 Criteria
–All these requirements aim to reduce
energy consumption
–At a commercial, residential, and
municipal level
4. The Five Criteria
Criteria 1: As-of-Right Siting – Renewable
Energy/Alternative Energy
Criteria 2: Expedited Permitting
Criteria 3: Energy Base Plan/ 20% Energy
Reduction Plan
Criteria 4: Purchase only Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Criteria 5: Minimize Life-Cycle Costs
Adoption of “The Stretch Code”
5.
6. Green Communities
Sutton Millbury
• July 19, 2011 • July 19, 2011
• $143,050 • $167,025
7. Green Communities
Marlborough
• December 16, 2010
• $217,125
• To fund energy conservation measures at several
municipal buildings, a hybrid vehicle, a site
evaluation for a solar PV system, and to fund an
Energy Efficiency Manager position
8. Green Communities
Palmer
• May 25, 2010
• $169,103
• To fund energy conservation measures at Town Hall;
a boiler and chiller replacements
9. The Stretch Code
• An appendix to the Massachusetts Building
Code
• 780 CMR Appendix 120 Stretch Energy Code
• Targets largest uses of energy in buildings
– Heating, appliance usage, lighting, etc.
• Purpose – reduce energy use in buildings by
roughly 20%
13. Test Performance
• Prescriptive codes
don‟t guarantee
good installation, air
and water tightness,
• Air gaps can reduce
effective thermal
insulation
Image Source: Environmental Protection Agency
14. Home Energy Rating System
(HERS)
• Stretch code: performance
– 70 or less <3,000 sq ft.
– 65 or less >3,000 sq ft.
• Used by the Housing Mortgage
Market to value homes
• Requires a certified HERS rater
• RAM software
• Energy Star Program
15. Residential New Construction
• Performance only „stretch‟ option
– Uses Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
– 70 or less < 3,000 sq ft.
– 65 or less > 3,000 sq ft.
• Requires a certified HERS rater
– Review building plans
– Check insulation installation
– Blower-door and duct testing
– Thermal bypass Checklist
16. Residential Additions
• 2 options – Performance or Prescriptive
– HERS index on just addition (often not possible)
or whole house
– Treated as new construction
– 70 or less < 3,000 sq ft.
– 65 or less > 3,000 sq ft.
• Most Additions will use Prescriptive Path
– Energy Star Builders Option Package (BOP)
– Includes Thermal Bypass Checklist
17. Commercial ‘Stretch’ Appendix
• Only for New Construction over 5,000 sq ft
• Performance option for all Buildings
• Utility program & incentives to help
• Prescriptive option includes 3 choices
– Heating and cooling equipment improvements,
– Improved Lighting efficiency (LPD)
– 3% + of electric needs from on-site renewable
18. Town Benefits
• Stretch Code is an optional appendix to IECC 2009 code
– Once IECC is updated, stretch code will be integrated
• Promotes Energy Efficiency & Collaboration
– Gives flexibility to both builders and homeowners
– 20-35% energy reduction provides savings in utility bills
– Promotes awareness of sustainability
19. Town Benefits
• Opportunity to apply for grants
– Can use grant to install energy-efficient appliances and/or
systems
– Grants will be competitive in the future
• Publicity
– Society is turning more green
– “Green Communities” status a noticeable factor for
Charlton
20. Incentives for Homeowners
• Long-term energy savings
– Higher upfront costs, but reduction in utility bills
– Energy Star utility sponsored savings: National Grid,
NSTAR, etc.
– Larger structure = More proportionate savings
• Tax incentives and credit
– Up to $1,250 for homes with HERS of <= 65
– $2,000 in Federal tax credit
21.
22.
23. Questions? Comments?
Thank You!
All information and data provided by the Mass Department
of Energy Resources.
For more information please email us at:
jenniferh@wpi.edu
deborahcsilva@wpi.edu
jszafarowicz@wpi.edu
Jennifer Henriquez • Deborah Silva • Joe Szafarowicz
Hinweis der Redaktion
Submit to Professor/ Kelly by Tuesday evening
Most of the Life Cycle Cost is put into Heating and Cooling. In New England this is an important factor because of the freezing temperature in winter and oscillating hot summers.
Prescriptive- Specified brand names for materials and methods for execution well defined.Performance-Define performance of end result and identify testing methods
The current IECC 2009 Building Code performance requires a HERS rating of 100 or lower. Energy Star Program provides builder incentives and rebates like $1250 per home for HERS 65 index, and on appliances, fluorescent light etc.