[MassHistPres] windows and stretch code
Ward Hamilton at Olde Mohawk Historic Preservation
ward at wardhamilton.com
Thu Jul 3 08:17:00 EDT 2014
Buildings on the State or National Register of Historic Places (both
residential and commercial/institutional), or deemed eligible for listing,
either individually or as part of a district, are EXEMPT from compliance
with the energy code. BUT the energy code is moving towards removing that
exemption under IECC 2015. I posted about this on this listserv a few
weeks ago:
http://www.architectmagazine.com/building-codes/international-code-council-approves-stringent-new-requirements-for-historical-structures.aspx#articlecomments
I have since written to the head of the Massachusetts Board of Building
Regulations and Standards imploring him to proactively approach the codes
council re the dangers posed by the proposed change. I also copied the
NTHP, MHC, PresMass, HBI, and HNE. This new push for "energy code
compliance" threatens the historic fabric of important buildings
throughout the Commonwealth and across the United States. Be afraid. Be
very afraid.
http://www.preservationconsultant.net/blog/its-all-about-the-money-how-greed-drives-the-green-machine
Ward A. Hamilton
MSc, Historic Preservation
OLDE MOHAWK HISTORIC PRESERVATION INC
877.622.8973 online at OldeMohawk.com
Slate Roofing | Masonry | Restoration
> 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
>>
>> email logo image
>>
>> 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 <http://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
>> <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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