[MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

Wed Jul 2 12:51:51 EDT 2014

clarification...the homeowner has an existing room with existing windows that will become an insulated, heated living space...she prefers to restore the windows and add a storm rather than install  new windows...i am assuming the rest of her home also has the original windows...she is not a customer of heartwoods', she just contacted me for advice...
thanks again...
...jade

jade mortimer
heartwood window restoration
26 forget road
hawley, ma  01339
413-339-4298
you can see right through our work.....

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dennis De Witt 
  To: MHC MHC listserve 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2014 11:23 AM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

  Does the code apply if she is not changing the window?  Can the code force her to replace an existing window?  I’d have thought it would only apply to new work.

  Dennis De Witt

  On Jul 1, 2014, at 5:56 PM, Jim Wald <jwald at hampshire.edu> wrote:

    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.....

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