Stretch Codes & Utility Programs

Bringing energy codes to market often involves a comprehensive approach that starts years before a code is adopted by a local jurisdiction. NBI provides technical assistance through each stage of code development.   

NBI contributes to the process by aggregating technical information from existing high performance buildings. Observed trends are translated into best practice energy conservation measures. These packages of measures are modeled in various climate regions in the United States to identify those that are cost effective.

State Stretch Codes

Stretch codes provide an opportunity to train the building and development communities in advanced building practices before the underlying energy code undergoes improvements.  They also help accelerate the market acceptance and adoption of more stringent energy efficiency codes in the future. Several states are successfully using stretch codes to improve building efficiency.  Read More

Core Performance-2012 Supplement

NBI uses the results of the energy modeling to assemble integrated suites of climate-specific energy conservation measures into voluntary model utility programs which can be used as model stretch codes.  Core Performance is one such package. NBI is currently developing an implementation guide for Core Performance-2012 Supplement with strategies and technologies that align directly with the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Details on 2012 IECC
Information on Core Performance
Energy Savings Map by Climate

Aligning Utility Programs with Codes

Many utility energy efficiency programs are beginning to consider opportunities to improve energy performance of buildings by incenting stretch code standards. Read More