Eighth Edition of the MA State Building Code
View the 8th Edition of the MA State Building Code here https://www.mass.gov/service-details/eighth-edition-of-the-ma-state-building-code
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dps/780-cmr/780061.pdf
Energy Efficiency Provisions of the State Building Code (780 CMR)
Massachusetts gives communities two options for their building energy code – a base energy code or an
optional stretch energy code. Municipalities can choose to adopt the stretch energy code by vote of City
Council or Town Meeting article and it can be rescinded by vote of Town Meeting or City Council. Adoption
of the Stretch Code is one of the criteria necessary for a municipality to apply for designation as a Green
Community and thus be eligible for grants to pay for energy saving projects in municipal buildings.
On January 1, 2017, both the Base Energy Code as well as the Stretch Energy Code were updated. The
difference between the two will be much smaller than in the past. In fact, the new Stretch Code will be
incorporated into the new Base Code; no more extensive and separate language to describe it. Basically,
new residential construction in a Stretch Code town will need to follow the Performance Path of the Base
code and achieve a HERS rating of 55 rather than following the Prescriptive Path of the Base Code. The
updated Stretch Code will also apply to new commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet. Additions,
renovations, and repairs to residential or commercial buildings are not applicable to the updated Stretch
Code, only the Base Energy Code is applicable.
A key feature of the Stretch Energy Code is that it is performance based. It requires new homes to meet a
HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index rating target, rather than requiring the installation of specific
levels of energy efficiency for each building element (e.g. windows, wall insulation, roof insulation, furnace
etc). The HERS rating is a measure based on a home’s total expected energy use and overall efficiency. It is
calculated by a certified HERS rater using accredited software, which uses information on the design of the
energy systems in a home to calculate the annual energy needs of the home and give it a rating score.
One benefit of using HERS ratings for compliance with the Stretch Energy Code is that builders do not have
to install specific energy efficiency measures, rather they have the flexibility to choose which energy
efficiency measures to install, and how to design the home in order to meet the HERS rating target. It is
also a way to ensure that homes are well built. As part of the HERS rating, the HERS rater tests the home
for air leakage and inspects insulation installation, which helps ensure that the home performs as designed.
The Base Energy Code in Massachusetts is updated approximately every 3 years. The Stretch Energy Code
must be updated periodically in order to maintain the “stretch.” When the stretch energy code was first
adopted, it was characterized as adopting the next version of the base energy code early, which is how it
turned out.
The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER),
two state entities responsible for the building energy codes, have completed work on a new stretch energy
code. Basically, it requires that the performance path of the standard building code be followed in Stretch
Code municipalities for new homes and for large new commercial buildings. The new Stretch Code will add
an additional cost to new home construction which will be primarily for the services of the HERS Rater. This
is generally in the $700 – $1300 range per residence. There are also typically significant annual energy bill
savings that more than tip the balance to give homeowners a net savings every year. Some, if not all, of the
HERS Rater costs may be reimbursed to the builder through the MassSave program.
Once adopted, the stretch energy code would take effect on the date identified in the local City Council’s
ordinance adopting the Stretch Code. Over 210 communities, representing more than half of the state’s
population (over 65%), have adopted the Stretch Energy Code, and that number continues to go up. Most
builders in the area are familiar with the requirements of the Stretch Energy Code. Many builders say that
the energy efficiency trade-off features of the Stretch Code makes it easier to fulfill customers design
wishes than following the Base Energy Code prescriptive requirements.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/building-energy-codes
Municipalities may choose to adopt the Stretch Code in lieu of the base building energy code. Stretch code adoption is mandatory for designation as a Green Community under the Green Communities Act passed by the Legislature and signed into law in 2008. As of November 14, 2017, 215 municipalities have adopted the Stretch Code.