Energy Code Training and Events

Trainings for Massachusetts code officials, design professionals, builders, subcontractors, suppliers of materials and equipment, and others.

Mass Save^® Energy Code Technical Support is delivered by Performance Systems Development (PSD). Support services are offered as part of the Mass Save Codes and Standards Compliance and Support Initiative. The Sponsors of Mass Save are providing this service as a part of their long-standing commitment to improve the energy performance of the building stock throughout Massachusetts.

Energy code questions? Call 1-855-757-9717 or email [email protected]

ATTENTION: The new Massachusetts Residential Stretch Energy Code became effective January 1, 2023, with no concurrency period. See below for a summary of changes and to view the Stretch Code language.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Building energy code compliance training sessions are available for all Massachusetts code officials and building professionals.

View training and events calendar

Training dates are added regularly, so please check back for future opportunities or sign up for our mailing list. The classroom trainings are typically three-hour sessions. Webinars are usually one-hour sessions. Check individual session information for continuing education eligibility, which may include credits for Massachusetts code officials, AIA, NARI, RESNET, BPI, and CSL.

The Massachusetts residential stretch code will update on January 1, 2023, with all projects permitted on or after that date being subject to the new requirements. There will be no concurrency period. The updated commercial stretch code will become effective July 1, 2023. Training courses on the new residential and commercial stretch code are under development.

HERS Index Changes for New Construction

One of the residential changes will be a reduction in the maximum Home Energy Rating (HERS) Index score, which will happen in two phases. Starting January 1, 2023, and effective through June 30, 2024, the maximum HERS Index for a mixed-fuel home will go down from the current HERS 55 to a HERS 52. (This reflects the change in the 2021 IECC where the Additional Energy Efficiency section requires a 5 percent decrease in the maximum Energy Rating Index.) Starting July 1, 2024, the maximum HERS Index score for a mixed-fuel home will drop to a HERS 42. All projects will be eligible for renewable energy offsets for onsite solar electric generation through June 30, 2024, but will be discontinued starting July 1. Please see the table below for more information.

Maximum HERS Index Score (modeled without renewable energy)
	New Construction			Alterations, Additions, and Changes of Use
	Until 1/1/23	1/1/23 through 6/30/24	As of 7/1/24	Until 1/1/23	As of 1/1/23
Mixed-fuel Building	55	52	42	65	52
Mixed-fuel Building with Solar Electric Generation	60	55	42	70	55
All-electric Building	60	55	45	70	55
All-electric Building with Solar Electric Generation	65	58	45	75	58

HERS Index Requirements for Additions and Alterations

Starting on January 1, 2023, HERS Rating requirements will apply to some existing building projects for the first time. The requirements are as follows:

Additions

Additions over 1,000 square feet or exceeding 100 percent of the conditioned floor area of the existing dwelling unit must receive HERS Ratings and meet the maximum HERS Index scores in the Alterations, Additions, and Changes of Use column in the table above. Solar ready requirements will also apply for these types of additions.
Additions that are 1,000 square feet or less will continue to follow base energy code.

Alterations

Projects with alterations meeting the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) definition of “Level 3” (over 50% of the home is renovated and reconfigured) and exceeding 1,000 square feet or 100% of the existing floor area must achieve the maximum HERS Index score in the Alterations, Additions, and Changes of Use column in the table above.

Additional updates to the stretch code starting January 1, 2023

Heat or Energy Recovery Ventilation (HRV/ERV) is required for all new homes. The HRV or ERV must also be tested by an independent third-party inspector using pressure pans or flow hoods.

One EV-ready parking space per home is required for one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes and the number of EV-ready parking spaces for new multifamily parking areas increases from 10% to 20% of parking spaces.

The optional Passive House Pathway will align with the most recent Phius standards, allowing the Phius CORE 2021 standard (efficiency) or the Phius ZERO 2021 standard (efficiency and renewable). The PHI standard remains unchanged as an option.

View the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources summary here.

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