Residential Building Energy Standards | Department of Public Service

On July 1, 2024 the 2024 RBES went into effect and applies to construction commenced on or after that date.

The RBES code book is nearing completion and an online "view only" version will be available soon on the International Code Council Website. In the meantime, here is a link to the redline version of the 2024 RBES code language. The 2024 RBES Handbook has been completed and posted at this link. Please contact the Energy Code Assistance Center at 1-855-887-0673 for a copy of the RBES Handbook, or if you have any questions about the code.

Hard copies of the 2024 RBES codebook will be available for purchase through the International Code Council (ICC) in the coming weeks. Until the print version of the code book is available, you can view or download a redline version of the 2024 RBES code language at this link: 2024 RBES Redline v. 5/19/23. Check this page or call the Energy Code Assistance Center, 1-855-887-0673 for status updates on the RBES Codebook and Handbook.

Overview

The Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) - 30 V.S.A. § 51 affects all new homes and all additions, alterations and repairs to residential buildings three stories or less above grade in Vermont.

The 2024 RBES took effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to construction commenced on or after the effective date. RBES applies to all new residential construction, including additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs. This effective date applies to both the RBES Base code and the RBES Stretch code. The RBES Stretch code is used to satisfy criterion 9(f) of all Act 250 projects.

The 2024 RBES Code Book will be available online in the near future. Please check this page for links to those documents. In the meantime, please use the links above for details about the 2024 RBES.

REScheck™ (Total UA) Compliance Method. REScheck is often used to certify compliance with the Total UA compliance pathway in the RBES. The 2024 REScheck™ software is currently under development. Until the 2024 REScheck™ software is published, builders may comply with the 2024 RBES Total UA compliance pathway using alternative calculation methods. The 2020 REScheck Software can be used to calculate total UA values for each building assembly. Those UA values can then be added up to calculate the total UA for your building design. As long as the building's total UA is less than the maximum allowable UA, calculated by multiplying the area of each building assembly by the U-factors in Table R402.1.4, below, your building may comply with the 2024 RBES provided that provided that (a) airtightness is less than or equal to 0.15 CFM50/Sq. Ft. of Building Shell (~2 ACH50) tested, and (b) the ventilation system is balanced and complies with section R304 of the 2024 RBES.

Table R402.1.4 Equivalent U-factors

Fenestration U-factor	Skylight U-factor	Ceiling U-factor	Frame Wall U-factor	Mass Wall U-factor	Floor U-factor	Basement Wall U-factor	Crawl Space U-factor	Slab on Grade U-factor
0.30	0.41	0.020	0.044	0.060	0.027	0.039	0.039	0.05, 4 ft.

RBES 2024 Training Opportunities

RBES 2024 In-Person Trainings

Several in-person trainings took place in the spring of 2024. Many of those have been recorded and posted on the Efficiency Vermont website at the link below. Any additional in-person trainings will be posted on this page and on the Efficiency Vermont website as they are scheduled.

RBES 2024 Online Trainings

Online trainings for the 2024 RBES are available on demand at this link:

Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES): Training Series | Efficiency Vermont

2020 Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)

2020 Residential Energy Code Handbook (includes both base and stretch codes)
2020 Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards - Free Viewable*
2020 RBES Certificate
2020 RBES Owner/Builder Disclosure Statement
Historic Buildings Exemption Report. This form should be completed and sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for approval if compliance with the energy code may adversely affect a historic building.
REScheck Software REScheck™ has been developed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to show compliance with the Vermont 2020 Residential Building Energy Standards. (Note: this is a beta version of REScheck Web™. Guidance of how to fill out REScheck can be found on the Building Energy Codes Program resource page. Please email keith.levenson@vermont.gov if you experience any issues with this software.)

*Note: if you are having trouble accessing the free viewable version of either RBES online, click on the ICC Digital Codes Library search webpage or go to the ICC Digital Codes Library webpage and search for "Vermont". Then click on "FREE VIEW" under the icon for the 2020 RBES.

2020 RBES Training Videos

Part 1 - Background Information

Part 2 - Code Updates

Online training video from the Energy Code Assistance Center at Efficiency Vermont will be available soon. When they are available, links can be found at the Energy Code Support webpage.

2015 Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)

(For homes built between March 1, 2015, and August 31, 2020.)

2015 Residential Energy Code Handbook (includes both base and stretch codes)
2015 Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards - Free Viewable*
2015 RBES Certificate
2015 RBES Owner/Builder Disclosure Statement
Historic Buildings Exemption Report. This form should be completed and sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for approval if compliance with the energy code may adversely affect an historic building.
REScheck Software This is software designed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to show compliance with the Vermont 2015 Residential Building Energy Standards. Until the 2015 VT REScheck software is available the PSD will accept 2011 VT REScheck with envelopes exceeding 9% or more as complying with the 2015 RBES.

*Note: if you are having trouble accessing the free viewable version of either RBES or CBES online, click on this link or go to https://codes.iccsafe.org/ and search for "Vermont". Then click on "FREE VIEW" under the icon for the 2015 RBES or 2015 CBES.

Hard copies of code materials are available free of charge from the Energy Code Assistance Center (toll free #: 1-855-887-0673).

Energy Code Materials for Homes Built October 1, 2011 -- February 28, 2015

Energy Code Materials for Homes Built January 1, 2005 -- September 30, 2011

Energy Code Material for Homes Built July 1, 1998 -- December 31, 2004

Other Resources

Energy Code Assistance Center: 1-855-887-0673
The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Helpful information on home energy rating systems and energy efficient mortgages.
Energy and Environmental Building Alliance. EEBA promotes the awareness, education and development of energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and communities.
ENERGY STAR Homes Program. Voluntary partnerships with home builders to construct residences that are 30 percent more energy efficient than the current Model Energy Code (MEC).
Building Green. Articles, reviews, and news stories on energy-efficient, resource-efficient, and healthy building practices. Environmental Building News (EBN) addresses material selection, siting, indoor air quality, day lighting, and other subjects relating to green building practices.
Home Energy Magazine
OIKOS Green Building Resource. Information on green building products and materials along with techniques for sustainable design and construction.
HERS Provider Accreditation Procedure

For more information please contact Keith Levenson by email, or 1-802-828-4072, at the Department of Public Service.