Greenfield, MA Stretch Energy Code Support

According to the state's adoption list, Greenfield has used the Stretch Code since January 1, 2011. Every residential permit in town is reviewed against the current Stretch Code requirements.

The main thresholds for Greenfield permits:

• New homes: HERS 42 for mixed-fuel homes, HERS 45 for all-electric homes, or Passive House certification.
• Large additions and renovations: Work over 1,000 sq ft, or over 100% of the existing home, targets HERS 65 (mixed-fuel) or HERS 70 (all-electric).
• Smaller additions and alterations: REScheck or the prescriptive path is usually enough.
• Commercial: COMcheck works for buildings up to 20,000 sq ft.

Hitting a HERS 42 or 45 target is mostly about the envelope: continuous air sealing at the rim joists, attic hatches and penetrations, insulation installed without gaps, and balanced ventilation sized to the tested air tightness.

In Greenfield, building permits go through the Building Inspections Department. Paper applications are submitted by mail or through the mail slot at 20 Sanderson Street.

Equipment choices move the score as much as insulation does: a right-sized heat pump, a heat pump water heater and efficient windows can each take points off the HERS index.

Timing matters as well. The energy documents have to match the plans on file, so changes to windows, insulation or mechanical equipment during construction should go past the rater before they are made, not after.

Air sealing is where most scores are won or lost. Attic hatches, rim joists, recessed lights and plumbing penetrations are the usual leaks in Greenfield homes, so we mark them on the plans and check them on site before insulation is covered.

Our Marlborough office at 272 Lincoln St C1 covers Greenfield. Sending us the plans before the permit application lets the HERS, REScheck or COMcheck paperwork go in with the submission instead of holding up plan review.