[MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

Wed Jul 2 18:28:01 EDT 2014

i hope the only thing that  does change is the recognition of houses built prior to 1950 as pre-existing non-comforming when it comes to replacing or significantly modifying historic components of a home...there is nothing 'green' or 'environmentally friendly' about replacing components that have stood the test of time with inferior products shipped half way across the country and which will likely need replacement by the time the next generation graduates high school...

respectfully caring for and undertaking energy efficiency upgrades in an old home should not be so difficult and frustrating for homeowners...my cynical self suggests lobbyists have a lot to do with the NEW IMPROVED EASY DISPOSABLE PLASTIC way of stewarding a house these days.......

thanks again for the feedback....
...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: Alison Hardy 
  To: 'Dennis De Witt' ; 'MHC MHC listserve' 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2014 3:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] windows and stretch code

  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

                      58 Pulaski Street

               Peabody, MA 01960

                          978-532-2070

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

  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-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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