Top 5 reasons why Green Needham believes our Town should join the 97 Massachusetts communities that have already approved the Stretch Code
1. High quality homes with verified energy performance
For new construction, following the Stretch Code results in a home that is approximately 20% more energy efficient than a home built to the current code. Rather than mandating particular energy efficiency measures, the Stretch Code moves to a performance-based code that gives builders and consumers the choice to decide how they will meet the energy efficiency goals.
The Stretch Code requires that new construction be rated by an energy expert, called a HERS (Home Energy Rating Systems) rater. Partnering with builders and designers, the HERS rater suggests energy-saving options, inspects the builder’s work, does diagnostic testing to measure the energy efficiency of the home, and provides a certified report to the Building Department. This not only ensures that the home performs the way it should; it also should catch any problems before the home is finished, at a time when problems can be more easily remedied.
With communities such as Wellesley, Dedham, Newton, and Natick adopting the Stretch Code, it is likely that home buyers will come to expect a house that is highly energy efficient. As a Stretch Code community, Needham would be able to stay competitive.
Under the Stretch Code, Needham housing inspectors would still have the final word, but the HERS rater’s role as a troubleshooter should clear up problems and make the housing inspection process simpler, not more complex.
(Note: Requirements for renovations and additions are much simpler, allowing the homeowner and the contractor to instead submit a simple energy efficiency checklist, applying only to those areas affected by the project. They can still choose to employ a HERS professional, but this is not required.)
2. The stretch code saves money and supports local jobs
The Green Communities Study Committee estimated a 2-4% additional cost for new construction or major renovations that meet the Stretch Code, with utility rebates possibly lowering that figure. The State’s estimates are slightly lower. Regardless of which estimates are used, however, with the increased cost spread out over the life of a mortgage, the State estimates that lower utility costs will more than cover the increased mortgage payment, generating a positive return on investment. In many cases, the homeowner will see a positive cash flow in the first year. Whether the payback period is immediate or takes a few years, the improvements will add value to the home and save money in the long run. The same is true for commercial and municipal buildings.
Also, homeowners should remember that the additional energy efficiency measures (such as more insulation or a better furnace) means that money is going to the local economy and supporting local jobs, rather than going to out-of-state or foreign energy companies.
3. Builders will be better able to delivery energy efficiency
Raising the bar for energy efficiency will mean that all builders will have to be better informed about the various ways to build more energy efficient homes. This will give consumers better choices in finding a builder. All builders will be adhering to the same high standards. As explained above, the Stretch Code also provides consumer protection to homeowners and renovators. As stated by the Green Communities Study Committee, adopting the Stretch Code would “level the playing field in home construction . . . . Contractors who already provide high quality, energy-efficient construction will no longer be at a competitive disadvantage.”
4. Green Community Status
Adopting the Stretch Code will pave the way for Needham to become a Green Community, with all the advantages. If Needham became a Green Community, it is estimated that the town would receive an initial grant of $150,000 – $175,000 for clean energy or energy efficiency projects. After that, Needham would be eligible to submit grant applications in a competitive process.
The advantages to Green Community status go beyond the grant money, however. One of the requirements is that Needham submit a plan to reduce municipal energy use by 20%. (Needham has already hired a consultant who is working on this plan.) Lower energy use means lower energy costs, freeing up tax money for education, public safety and roads, rather than burning it up in unnecessary energy expenses.
5. Needham would be part of the solution
Greater energy efficiency will stimulate the market for green products, such as better furnaces, insulation, and building materials – a situation which will benefit consumers in Needham and in all other communities.
Additionally, passing the Stretch Code and becoming a Green Community would make Needham an active participant in our State’s exciting initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels. The Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 details how Massachusetts will reduce energy costs, build our green economy sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. According to a just-issued report by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the clean energy sector (which includes energy efficiency) employs more than 64,000 people, grew employment 6.1% in the last year and is expected to increase jobs at a 15.2% rate from July 2011 to July 2012.
