[MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

[Jim Wald]

As Ms. Hardy says, there are two paths.

Option 2, the "prescriptive path, or partial house option., is the more 
traditional, with, e.g., set Energy Star specs for new windows and 
doors, etc. etc.

But Option 1, the "performance path," based on the whole house, is based 
on the aggregate energy savings (using HERS, pegged to square footage). 
This is more flexible, and therefore, as Ms. Hardy says, better suited 
to historic structures. E.g. if you have older windows that are not 
super-energy-efficient, you can make up for that through efficiencies 
elsewhere, as long as the total comes out right.

See:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/stretch-code-summary-jun20-2011.pdf

Here is general information on the stretch code and changes going into 
effect July 1:

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/csl/stretch-energy-code-information.html


Jim Wald
Amherst Select Board
liaison to Historical Commission
past chair, Historical Commission


On 01/07/2014 14:07, Alison Hardy wrote:
>
> There are two ways a renovation or an addition can meet the 
> requirements of the Stretch energy code:
>
> 1.Buy rated products and install them according to directions.
>
> 2.Have an energy audit and produce a HERS score for the entire addition.
>
> Obviously if the homeowner wants to restore they are not going with 
> option one but can go with option two. Some inspectors are OK with it, 
> others only seem to know about option 1 so there may be some 
> educating. There are many energy auditors who can produce a HERS 
> rating score.
>
> Alison Hardy
>
> Window Woman of New England
>
> *From:*heartwood restoration [mailto:jade at heartwoodrestoration.com]
> *Sent:* Monday, June 30, 2014 7:33 AM
> *To:* Mass ListServe
> *Subject:* [MassHistPres] windows and stretch code
>
> greetings all......
>
> i have had a call from a homeowner in belmont concerning windows and 
> the stretch code...as i am not familiar with all the particulars, i 
> turn to the informed folks on this list serve...
>
> the homeowner is converting a once unfinished (uninsulated, unheated) 
> room in her house to a heated living space...the home is not on the 
> registry and is not in an historic district...she would like to 
> restore the existing window sash and install new storm windows...my 
> understanding is that the stretch code is adopted by each town/city 
> and the code may be slightly different from town to town depending on 
> how the citizens/inspectors constructed the code...what should the 
> homeowner know prior to applying for a permit for the conversion?  we 
> all know that an old window with a new storm and weather stripping 
> will offer the same U value as a new window but it can be an uphill 
> battle convincing those who make the decisions...
>
> thanks in advance....
>
> ...jade
>
> /*jade mortimer*/*/
> /heartwood window restoration/
> /26 forget road/
> /hawley, ma 01339/
> /413-339-4298/
> /you can see right through our work.....//*
>
>
>
> ******************************
> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE LIST.
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
> ********************************

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/private/masshistpres/attachments/20140701/0d4f0c65/attachment-0001.htm>