Stretch Codes & Beyond Code Programs
Progressive states and local jurisdictions with a focus on energy efficiency and/or sustainability are increasingly building upon the baseline building energy codes and adopting stretch codes and beyond code programs. The programs are referred to in various terms - green building programs or codes, stretch codes, above code programs, and beyond code programs. What they have in common as a key component is building energy efficiency.
Relationship Between Beyond Code Programs and the Baseline Energy Codes and Standards
Designers, builders, plan review and inspection staff and all interested parties still need to thoroughly understand the underlying baseline energy code when working with a stretch or beyond code program.
Most above code programs use the IECC and/or ASHRAE 90.1 as a baseline, with additional requirements beyond that. Jurisdictions are both mandating the programs and offering them as voluntary compliance tools. They vary widely in scope - from a simple requirement to comply 10% above the current IECC, to comprehensive programs such as Green Globes and the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). As of August, 2009 there were over 300 instances of such programs adopted by states and jurisdictions nationwide.
Building Energy efficient materials and methods that are included in stretch and above codes programs are often submitted to the IECC or ASHRAE development process for consideration. Above code programs are used to the make efficiency improvements in the residential and commercial building marketplace. Once the efficiency features have saturated the market and have become common practice, it is then proposed as a change to the code so that it will become mandatory for all buildings. High efficacy lighting systems for residential homes is an example of this. The Core Performance Guide has also been codified and submitted as proposed code change to increase the efficiency of commercial buildings.
Key national programs and examples of how they have been adopted include:
- Home Energy Rating System. Commonly known as HERS, it energy efficiency of a home to a computer-simulated reference house. The rating involves analysis of the home's construction plans and at least one on-site inspection. This information is used to estimate the home's annual energy costs and give the home an index between 0 and 100. The higher the score, the more efficient the home. Jurisdictions such as Boulder County, Colorado have mandated a particular HERS index for new residential construction.
- ENERGY STAR®. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines criteria for ENERGY STAR certification of homes and commercial buildings. ENERGY STAR homes are typically 15 percent more energy efficient than average minimum energy codes. New York State allows local jurisdictions to adopt Energy Star as their minimum residential energy code, and many such as Brookhaven, have done so.
- EarthCraft is built upon Energy Star and 2006 IECC. Developed by Southface Energy Group, Inc in partnership with US DOE's Build America Program—Earthcraft House is a point based program that includes Energy Star certification in its baseline. The program is used in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia. The City of Nashville offers incentives for Earth Craft homes.
- Collaborative for High Performing Schools mandate energy efficiency 25% above 90.1-2004. Originally a California standard is it being revised for regional factors and adopted by states and school districts across the country.
- Core Performance Guide usage results in commercial buildings 20-30% more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1-2004. Developed by the New Buildings Institute, this fee-based program is available nationally. It is designed for commercial buildings 10,000 to 70,000 ft2. The State of Massachusetts recently adopted this as the commercial section of Appendix 120.AA known as the "stretch code".
- Earth Advantage. Minimum Energy Star, 15% above the 2003 IECC. A licensed third-party verification system, Earth Advantage is available in Oregon, Washington and Massachusetts. The focus is energy efficiency and resource conservation. Eugene (Oregon) Water and Electric promotes Earth Advantage Homes and provides local verification.
- Green Points Rating System exceeds California's Energy Code - 2005 Title 24 by 15%. Build it Green/Green Points is a membership supported non-profit organization that two points based verification, one for new homes, and existing homes. It is used by jurisdictions as a mandatory or voluntary third party certification program. Numerous jurisdictions throughout California have adopted it. In Santa Clara County, for example, it is mandatory for all homes above 1200 ft2 that are not LEED for Homes.
- NAHB Green Guidelines. 15-40% above 2003 IECC or local code. First published in 2005, the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines were written by a group of builders, researchers, environmental experts, and designers to provide guidance for builders engaged in or interested in green building products and practices for residential design, development, and construction. The Guidelines were also written to serve as a "baseline" so that NAHB members could easily develop local programs. Local jurisdictions and utilities promote the program and provide verification, such as in Pierce County, Washington where it is Washington State Department of Ecology, Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Power.
- ASHRAE 189. Currently under development, the standard is being developed in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and will be applicable to new commercial buildings and major renovation projects and will address: Energy efficiency; A building's impact on the atmosphere; Sustainable sites; Water use efficiency; Materials and resources; and Indoor environmental quality. ASHRAE/IESNA/USGBC Standard 189 is being developed for inclusion into building codes.
- LEED. LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation requires a minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Developed by the United States Green Building Council, LEED is a green building certification system, providing third-party verification addressing: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. There is a suite of LEED programs focused on various building types, or stages of occupancy. Many federal agencies, states and local jurisdictions have mandated or encouraged LEED certification for municipal buildings. Local jurisdictions, such as Rohnert Park, CA (mandatory) and Charlotte County, Fl (voluntary) have adopted LEED as their standard.
- International Green Construction Code (IgCC). Recently published for public comment and expected to be completed and approved by ICC in late 2011, the IgCC was developed in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). It is coordinated with the other ICC model codes and is intended for adoption and use with those codes. It provides criteria for site development and land use, material resource and conservation, energy efficiency and air quality, water resource conservation, indoor environmental quality, building O&M, and provisions for existing buildings. The document also provides adopting agencies with provisions upon which they can base their adoption and choose the applicable provisions and level of rigor to address their needs. The document will reference ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2009 as an acceptable path to compliance.
- ICC-700-2008 National Green Building Standard, 2008 exceeds the 2006 IECC by a minimum of 15%. ICC-700-2008 National Green Building Standard defines green building for single and multifamily homes, residential remodeling projects and site development.
Locally Developed Programs
Jurisdictions have also adopted energy codes and beyond code programs that have been locally developed. Primary examples are the City of Albuquerque's 2009 Interim Energy Conservation Code and Boulder County Colorado's BuildSmart Program.