What financial savings/rebates are there from building to the stretch code?
The stretch code is designed to allow builders to get the maximum benefits of the existing Energy Star Homes program with its full range of training, support and financial incentives. A new home with a HERS rating of 65 or less currently qualifies for $1,250 from the Energy Star utility sponsors, and additional rebates are available for installing high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, appliances and lighting. The utility companies also partially cover the cost of hiring a HERS rater to work with the builder. In addition to these Massachusetts-based incentives there is a federal $2,000 tax credit available for homes built with less than half of the heating and cooling load of a 2004 code home. The HERS rater and software can tell you whether a new home qualifies for this and the HERS report provides the core documentation needed.
