[MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

Wed Jul 2 15:55:21 EDT 2014

Code applies if the renovation/addition requires a building permit. 

For historic home owners, understanding the ramifications of the stretch
energy code is critical because most building inspectors only understand the
prescriptive path and most builders will take the less "risky" path of just
buying the specified products and putting them in. 

The performance path is considered riskier as the rating can only be done at
the end for the whole renovation/addition. If the insulation was done badly,
or the foundation leaks, or if a door was not installed properly then it's
possible the renovation in it's entirety will not get an adequate HERS
score. 

Thankfully houses that are on the National or state register are exempt (and
let us hope that rule does not change!). Many builders and building
inspectors are also not aware of that exemption so it's important that the
homeowner knows. 

I have been asked to salvage too many beautiful antique windows by
homeowners tell me their builder told them they HAD to put in new windows
when they remodeled or added on. 

Alison Hardy

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                    58 Pulaski Street

             Peabody, MA 01960

                        978-532-2070

As seen on This Old House. Please visit our web site at 

 <http://www.window-woman-ne.com/> www.window-woman-ne.com to see all
episodes.

From: Dennis De Witt [mailto:djd184 at verizon.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2014 11:24 AM
To: MHC MHC listserve
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-c
ode-summary-jun20-2011.pdf>
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/stretch-co
de-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/stretc
h-energy-code-information.html>
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>
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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