Implementation Phases

Adopt New York Stretch energy code.

Adopt more stringent energy code than NYStretch Energy Code.

Require a compliance pathway that evaluates the whole-house efficiency and verifies it with measurements after construction, such as evaluation by a certified HERS rater.

Adopt Zero Net Energy code.

Challenges

Building inspectors and code enforcement must be trained to be able to enforce new standards. Additionally, staff may not have resources to implement and enforce (time and equipment). Third party enforcement and inspection may be required to reduce staff burden.

To implement  NY Stretch and Stretch to Zero building practices will require government incentives and building code regulations for widespread adoption.  

Heating professionals  may not be familiar with ZNE buildings and tend to oversize heating/cooling equipment, adding unnecessary costs to ZNE buildings.

Many local builders and architects do not have expertise to design and/or build high performance buildings.

Occupant behavior associated with electric devices and plug loads can influence the amount of energy used in ZNE buildings.

It’s a challenge to recover higher initial costs at resale of energy-efficient and ZNE buildings when the benefits are poorly understood.

Initial costs will be higher. Tax breaks and energy savings could make ZNE buildings financially viable, but education about potential energy savings is essential.

Example Municipalities

Several municipalities have already implemented this action… 

• New York, New York passed Local Law 32 of 2018 which intends for the city to have a 20% more stringent energy code than the sate of New York
• Through the passage of House Bill 409 in the Pennsylvania legislature, Philadelphia was able to adopt codes for commercial construction in compliance with International Energy Conservation Code of 2015.
• Ithaca New York on June 6, 2014 adopted stricter energy regulations and codes than the State of New York mandates

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions

Data

Average of new residential buildings from 2010 to 2017: 65 Buildings [Town of Bethlehem Demographic and Growth Analysis 1991-2018, Page9] 

Average of new commercial buildings from 2000 to 2012: 7 buildings [Town of Bethlehem Demographic and Growth Analysis 1991-2018, table 2 Page 37] 

CO2e reduction in percentage after adopting stringent energy code: 11% [NYStretch Energy Code-2020, NYSERDA] 

Assumptions

This strategy is adopted by all the new commercial and residential constructions in Bethlehem, NY.

Methodology

We calculated the:

1. Average number of new construction residential and commercial buildings.
2. Average emission per commercial and residential unit in Bethlehem
3. Total CO2e through newly constructed residential and commercial units.
4. Total CO2e reduction after adopting stringent energy code

Result

50 Metric tons of CO2e is reduced per year by adopting stringent energy code.

This results MODERATE GHG emissions reductions.

Climate Smart Communities (CSC) & Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Link

This action is also related to CEC and CSC actions for which municipalities can earn points toward certification.

CEC Actions:

• Municipalities can earn 1200 CEC points through CEC’s NYStretch Energy Code action, and also are eligible to apply for a related action grant if their stretch energy code goes into effect no later than 12/31/21.

CSC Actions:

• Municipalities can earn 10 CSC points through CSC’s PE6 Action: New York Stretch Energy Code.

Co-benefits

There are multiple co-benefits to completing this action, including:

• More efficient new home construction and renovation standards.
• Economic benefits to homeowners and renters in reduced heating and cooling requirements.
• Improved comfort and convenience in homes.