- Vermont's Building Energy Standards were established to set minimum efficiency requirements for new and renovated buildings. The standards are designed to provide more reductions in energy use and emissions over the life of a building, when compared with a similar building constructed prior to the standards going into effect.
Buildings that comply with the standards are generally more comfortable and cost-effective to heat and cool. They also help to advance the state's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In late 2015 the PSD undertook a market baseline assessment of Vermont’s residential and commercial building stock. This assessment characterizes Vermont’s current existing and new construction business (commercial/industrial) and residential (multifamily/single family) markets by documenting current equipment, lighting, HVAC, heating, process and hot water heating systems and building shell characteristics; as well as assesses adherence to Vermont’s Commercial and Residential Building Energy Standards (CBES & RBES) in the new construction market.
The 2016 Vermont Business Sector Market Characterization and Assessment Study is available on the PSD website. The Appendices are available on request.
The Department of Public Service (PSD) developed a statewide Energy Code Compliance Plan (and Appendixes). The Energy Code Compliance Plan (Plan) outlined a realistic approach for achieving 90 percent compliance with the Residential and Commercial Energy Codes by February 1, 2017. The plan also addresses how to best implement ongoing training related to Energy Code updates, unified Energy Code enforcement measures, and a process to evaluate and report annual rates of Energy Code compliance.
The following pages provide more detailed information about the Building Energy Standards