Town of Epping - Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design Requirement

Summary

The Town of Epping, New Hampshire, passed an ordinance in March 2007 that established a new building code that is more stringent than the state energy code. The town's Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design code is based on a system that awards points for various sustainable elements and building practices, including the use of renewable energy, the orientation of the building, the materials used, the energy efficiency of the building envelope and HVAC system, operational practices, and construction waste management. The town also allows for innovative techniques on a case-by-case basis to convey compliance in a specific effort to promote new technologies and flexibility. The amount of points required by the ordinance is determined by the square footage of the building and ranges from five points for developments of 5,000 square feet or smaller to 25 points for developments larger than 50,000 square feet. The number of points awarded for sustainable measures incorporated into the building varies depending on the type of measure and the degree to which the measure is adopted, and is heavily weighted toward energy production. The minimum required performance for an installed photovoltaic (PV) system, for example, is equal to a range of 10% - 50% of the estimated base load. Systems that meet this requirement are awarded 10 points. (PV systems which have a higher performance rating can be awarded up to 15 points.) Similarly, the capacity of a wind-energy system must be equal to or greater than 5 kilowatts (kW) at a rated wind speed of 20 mph to achieve 10 points. (Wind-energy systems that have a greater generation capacity may earn up to 15 points.) The code also allows for the incorporation of other innovative technologies (not explicitly listed in the code) on a case-by-case basis as long as there are sufficient environmental, economic and experimental benefits to be gained from the installation, and the equipment will be in place for at least five years.