Specialized Energy Code
Healthier, more comfortable homes
Andover is considering adopting the Specialized Energy Code.
The Specialized Energy Code is a building code that applies only to new construction. And only to mixed fuel construction. The Specialized Code does not affect existing buildings or additions. New electric buildings do not have any requirements under the Specialized Code.
As of December 31, 2024 48 communities have adopted the specialized code.
The Specialized Energy Code by Building Type
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Houses Under 4,000 Sq Ft
All new fossil fuel houses must be prewired for all electric use at a later date.
This makes future electrification less expensive and less involved.
Solar generation is required for homes that are not designed to Passive House Standard, 'where feasible', (not if it involves too much tree removal).
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House 4,000 Sq Ft and Larger
All new fossil fuel houses must be designed to Passive House Standard and prewired for all electric use at a later date.
This makes future electrification less expensive and less involved.
Passive Houses use less energy to heat and cool.
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Municipal and Commercial Buildings
All new fossil fuel buildings must be prewired for all electric use at a later date.
There needs to be on-site solar PV, minimum of 1.5w/sf for each square foot of the 3 largest floors or 75% of the Potential Solar Area.
The new West El was designed to be highly energy efficient and all-electric. The school meets all performance requirements of the Specialized Code.
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Multi-family units more than 12,000 Sq Ft
New multi-family fossil fuel buildings larger than 12,000 sq ft must achieve pre-certification to Passive House standards or HERS 0, and be prewired for all electric use at a later date.
This would apply to new developments such as what is being designed for the Historic Mill District.
New electric buildings do not have any requirements under the Specialized Code.
The Specialized Code does not affect existing buildings or additions.
Adopting the Specialized Code is one of the prerequisites for Andover to become a Climate Leader Community and be able to apply for more state grants.
FAQs
What about the economics?
The vast majority of net-zero projects in Massachusetts experience a less than 1% increase in costs.
Plus this code is one of 6 requirements to become a Climate Leader Community and be eligible for more state grants. Andover needs to adopt this code to apply for new grant money as a Green Community 2.0.
How does this get us to a net zero future?
Primarily through a combination of energy efficiency, that it in turn enables reduced heating loads, and efficient electrification. Use of fossil fuels such as gas and propane or biomass is permitted but comes with additional requirements for on-site solar generation and pre-wiring for future electrification of any fossil fuel using equipment.
In other words, the code requires electrification or pre-wiring for electrification. It also requires on-site renewable energy generation (such as solar panels) when feasible.
So what exactly is the Specialized Energy Code?
The Specialized Energy Code includes requirements that form an appendix to each of the chapters of the Stretch Code. The Specialized Energy Code ensures new construction is consistent with Massachusetts greenhouse gas limits. It requires new homes over 4,000 square feet to follow an all-electric or zero energy pathway. Solar PV is required where possible for new construction that uses fossil fuels for heating.
How is that different from the Stretch Code?
In 2009, Massachusetts became the first state to adopt an above-code appendix to the “base” building energy code. The Stretch Code emphasizes energy performance and was designed to result in cost-effective construction that is more energy efficient than that built to the Base Code. The Stretch Code is typically updated every few years, with the most recent update taking effect in 2023. The Stretch Code increases the energy efficiency requirements for all new residential and commercial buildings, as well as for additions and renovations that require building permits. The Stretch Code is now published and maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Adopting the Stretch Code is a requirement for participation in the Green Communities program. Andover was one of the inaugural Green Communities designated in 2010.
What building types do the Stretch Code and Specialized Code apply to?
The Stretch Code applies to both residential and commercial new construction, as well as certain renovations and additions.
The Specialized Energy Code applies only to residential and commercial new construction.
What is Passive House?
Passive House is a performance-based building certification that focuses on the dramatic reduction of energy use for space heating and cooling. It results in significantly lower total life cycle costs and minimal additional construction costs, while ensuring healthier, more comfortable, and more resilient buildings.
Can buildings still have gas cooktops, water heaters or other appliances along with all-electric heating and cooling under the Specialized Code?
Yes, but this will make the building a “mixed-fuel” building, requiring pre-wiring for future electrification and on-site renewable energy offsets.
Are emergency generators allowed?
Yes, fossil fuel powered emergency generators are allowed for all building sizes and types.
Why is there a pre-wiring requirement?
The Specialized Code was developed to be consistent with the Commonwealth’s net-zero by 2050 goals. Wiring for electrification is easy and low cost at the time of construction but becomes expensive and time-consuming after construction. The pre-wiring requirement protects against high consumer costs for future retrofits, which will be necessary to meet the Commonwealth’s climate goals.
How much solar is required for residential buildings using fossil fuels?
One- and two- family dwellings and townhouses that use fossil fuels must install at least 4kW of solar per dwelling unit, except when the potential solar zone area (refer to code for definition) is less than 300 square feet. Other low-rise residential buildings that use fossil fuels must install on-site solar PV system with a rated capacity of not less than 0.75 W/sqft of the gross conditioned living area, except when the Potential Solar Zone Area (refer to code for definition) is less than 300 square feet or when the building has a permanently installed domestic solar water heating system with a minimum solar savings fraction of 0.5.
What if a new home being built is surrounded by trees – do I have to cut down trees to meet the onsite solar requirements?
There are exceptions to the onsite solar requirements including:
Roof area oriented between 110 degrees and 270 degrees of true north of new one-and two family homes and townhouses is under 600 square feet.
Roof area is in full or partial shade for more than 70 percent of daylight hours annually.
What about schools and commercial buildings?
Commercial Buildings (including municipal and school buildings) may be built with fossil fuel heating and hot water systems under the Specialized Code, however the buildings would need to be pre-wired to go all-electric in the future. On-site solar would also need to be added. The new West Elementary school was designed in 2022 to be highly energy efficient and all-electric (net-zero ready). As such, the school already meets all performance requirements of the Specialized Code. The SMMA/Gilbane team delivered the advance building at 0.4% incremental costs compared to if the building was built with fossil-fuel equipment. Because the building will be twice as efficient as the old West Elementary School, operational costs is also predicted to be lower per square foot, allowing for the incremental construction costs to deliver payback in less than 5 years of school operation.
How much solar is required for commercial buildings using fossil fuels?
New buildings that fall under the commercial code and use fossil fuels must install on-site renewable energy with a rated capacity of at least 1.5 W/ft of the gross conditioned floor area of the three largest floors. Where the building site cannot meet the requirement in full with an on-site system, the building site shall install a partial system sized to at least 75% of the Potential Solar Zone Area (refer to code for definition).
Are there additional EV charging requirements in the Specialized Code?
No, there are no additional EV charging requirements beyond the Stretch Code requirements.
Need to know more?
You can read a more indepth description of the Massachusetts Codes including the Updated Stretch Code and Municipal Opt-In Stretch Code at Northeast Efficiency Energy Partnerships (NEEP). They have an excellent summary for residential low rise and a second summary for commercial. Both include pathways to compliance and additional energy efficiency updates as well as a comparison chart between what is in the Stretch Code— which Andover has already adopted by virtue of being a Green Community— and the Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code.
The state of Massachusetts also has an FAQ on 2023 Stretch Energy and Municipal Opt-In Specialized Building Code.