[MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

Wed Jul 2 17:25:22 EDT 2014

Are you saying that if there is a renovation that requires a building 
permit (like doing over a bathroom or kitchen), the entire house must be 
brought up to energy compliance code?

Is the exemption for local historic districts as well as National/State 
Register?

Ralph Slate
Springfield Historical Commission

On 7/2/2014 4:56 PM, Alison Hardy wrote:
>
> 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
>
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> As seen on This Old House. Please visit our web site at
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> *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 
> <mailto: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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