Energy Stretch Code

Overview

In 2021, South Portland adopted Maine’s first energy stretch code, which applies to all new residential and commercial construction, as well as many renovations of existing structures.   

Maine’s statewide uniform building and energy code (MUBEC) is based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The IECC code is amended every three years, and with each new version, more efficient materials, technologies, and techniques are specified.

State law passed in 2020 updated Maine’s base energy code from the IECC 2009 version to the IECC 2015, which improved the energy efficiency of new buildings by 20%-25%. This code update went into effect for all Maine municipalities on July 1, 2021. The state legislature also mandated the creation of the State’s first energy stretch code, which the MUBEC Board set as the IECC 2021. Municipalities can choose to adopt this code in lieu of the state’s base code. The IECC 2021 is two cycles ahead of the base code, improving energy efficiency by a further 10%. The City of South Portland officially adopted the stretch code (IECC 2021), with the new code going into effect April 2022. Currently, Portland and South Portland are the only two municipalities in the state to adopt the stretch code.

As stated in One Climate Future, building codes are the single most powerful tool that states and cities have to require higher levels of performance from new buildings. The adoption of the stretch code ensures that new and renovated buildings are built to a level of performance that will create an energy efficient building and lower potential greenhouse gas emissions. With existing buildings contributing 66% of South Portland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, more efficient building codes, such as the stretch code, are a great way to reduce the amount of wasted energy, lower future energy bills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

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