Building Energy Code

May 23, 2023

Summary

Noted: Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.

New Hampshire adopted a mandatory statewide building code in 2002 based on the 2000 IECC. S.B. 81, enacted in July 2007, upgraded the New Hampshire Energy Code to the 2006 IECC. In December 2009, the New Hampshire Energy Code was again updated. The New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board adopted the IECC 2009 as the new statewide code effective April 1, 2010. The local building official enforces the energy requirements.

Local governments may adopt different requirements only if those requirements are more stringent than the state code. The New Hampshire Building Code Review Board has rulemaking authority to change the standards within the code.

As of September 15, 2022, New Hampshire has adopted the 2018 IECC building codes across residential and commercial buildings.

For official information about New Hampshire's building codes, visit: www.state.nh.us/safety/boardsandcommissions/bldgcode/nhstatebldgcode.html. In addition, the state of New Hampshire has initiated the New Hampshire Energy Code Challenge.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	New Hampshire
Incentive Type:	Building Energy Code
Web Site:	http://bcapcodes.org/code-status/state/new-hampshire/
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Residential Code:	The New Hampshire Energy Code is a state code that references the 2009 IECC amended to Climate Zone 6, mandatory statewide for most counties. Southern counties are considered Climate Zone 5. REScheck can be used to comply.
Commercial Code:	The New Hampshire Energy Code is a state code that references the 2009 IECC amended to Climate Zone 6, mandatory statewide for most counties. Southern counties are considered Climate Zone 5. COMcheck can be used to comply.
Code Change Cycle:	No set schedule. The New Hampshire Building Code Review Board has the authority to change the standards within the code. The procedure consists of public hearings held by the board followed by the public adoption or rejection of proposed amendments. The NH State Legislature must ratify any amendments adopted by the board within two years of their effective date; otherwise, the code reverts back to the previous version. The most recent changes were made effective July 1st, 2022.

Contact

Name:	Jon Osgood
Organization:	New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Address:	21 South Fruit Street Concord NH 03301
Phone:	(603) 271-6306
Email:	jon.osgood@puc.nh.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.