DANVERS & THE MASSACHUSETTS STRETCH ENERGY CODE

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On September 17, 2026, the Town of Danvers held an informational workshop about the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code, which many communities have adopted to improve building energy efficiency and reduce long-term heating and cooling costs. The workshop included construction and energy-code professionals and used examples of actual Danvers building projects to explain how the requirements could apply to new homes, additions and major renovations. Adoption is also part of the requirements for joining the state’s Green Communities program, which provides access to municipal energy grants. Danvers Town Meeting is expected to vote on adoption in February 2027. To help residents understand the proposal, I’m sharing two resident-produced videos and highlights from the workshop materials.

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🎥 TOPICS OF THE TOWN NEWS — MARK ZUBEREK

Danvers resident Mark Zuberek recorded the September 17 workshop and shares his own commentary about the meeting and the Stretch Code. His video provides an opportunity to hear the presentation and discussion while also considering his perspective on the proposal before Town Meeting votes.

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Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3DsPSwZ10o

 

🎥 THE DAN BENNETT SHOW

Danvers resident Dan Bennett responds to parts of Mark’s commentary and supports adopting the Stretch Code. He challenges suggestions that the workshop pressured attendees or that adoption is a “money grab,” emphasizing potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and future energy bills. He also argues that the workshop should have given more attention to the environmental reasons for adoption and the climate impacts facing Massachusetts.

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Watch here: https://youtu.be/VmNXKonfjPs?si=h_6UpnBgf4kUhI6P

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WHAT IS THE STRETCH CODE?

The Stretch Code is a locally adopted alternative to Massachusetts’ base building energy code. It emphasizes how efficiently a completed building performs, with the goal of reducing energy use for heating and cooling.

Some key points from the workshop materials:

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• NEW HOMES: Residential new construction generally follows a Home Energy Rating System, or HERS, pathway or Passive House certification. A HERS rating measures a home’s energy efficiency; a lower score means better performance.

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• EXISTING HOMES: Adoption does not automatically require homeowners to upgrade a house they are not renovating. Smaller additions and alterations generally follow requirements for individual building components. Large additions and major alterations can trigger a HERS rating.

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• PROJECT SIZE MATTERS: The comparison handout identifies additions of at least 1,000 square feet—or at least the size of the existing home—as large additions. Major alterations have separate thresholds involving both the size and proportion of the work area. A project’s specific requirements should be confirmed with the Building Department.

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• FUEL CHOICE: The materials state that both all-electric and mixed-fuel homes are permitted. The Stretch Code being discussed is distinct from the stricter Specialized Code.

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• TESTING AND COSTS: Both the base and Stretch codes already require blower-door testing for new single-family homes. For three substantial renovation examples, the workshop estimated HERS rating costs ranging from $1,325 to $1,900. Those estimates cover the rating service, rather than the full cost of any construction changes needed to comply.

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• POTENTIAL BENEFITS: The handouts emphasize insulation, air sealing, ventilation and efficient heating and cooling systems as ways to lower energy use and ongoing costs. They also discuss incentives, although eligibility depends on the project and applicable utility programs.

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I encourage residents to review the materials, watch the videos and learn how the proposal could affect future construction in Danvers. The commentary represents the speakers’ own views. We Are Danvers is sharing this information to help residents learn about the proposal and is not affiliated with the Town of Danvers.