Free hard copies of the updated 2020 Vermont Commercial Energy Codebook are available. Electronic copies are also available for purchase through the International Code Council (ICC) website. Please contact the Energy Code Assistance Center on 1-855-887-0673 to receive a free hard copy. There is also a free viewable only copy available on the ICC website.
Background
The CBES was enacted into law in 2006 (30 V.S.A. § 53). It is the energy code for all commercial buildings and residential building 4 stories or greater above grade in Vermont and took effect January 1, 2007.
On July 1, 2024, an update to CBES shall take effect, which applies to all new commercial building construction, additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs. The 2024 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards shall be available as a hard copy and on-line; it is a standalone document for the State of Vermont based upon amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code® 2018 Supplement. The CBES also allows an alternative compliance path of ASHRAE 90.1 2019 with Vermont specific requirements outlined in the energy code handbook.
Until July 1, 2024, the 2020 CBES shall remain in effect, and applies to all new commercial building construction, additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs. Anything permitted under the 2020 CBES code prior to July 1, 2024, shall remain valid to be constructed as long as construction starts within 180 day of July 1, 2024. The 2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards is available as the energy code handbook; it is a standalone document for the State of Vermont based upon amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code® 2018 Supplement. The CBES also allows an alternative compliance path of ASHRAE 90.1 2016 with some Vermont specific requirements outlined in the energy code.
30 V.S.A. §53 requires certification that both the design AND the construction of a commercial building is in compliance with the CBES. The design shall be certified by the primary designer; if a licensed professional engineer or a licensed architect is not involved in designing the project, certification shall be issued by the builder. The construction of a commercial building shall be certified as compliant with CBES by the party having primary responsibility for coordinating the construction of the building, such as a general contractor or construction manager. In the absence of such a party, the owner must certify compliance. The certifying person may reasonably rely on one or more supporting affidavits received from subcontractors or others engaged in the construction or design of the commercial building affirming that the portions of the building constructed by them were properly certifiable. Certifications must be accompanied by affidavits certifying that the building was designed and constructed in substantial compliance with the requirements of the CBES. To meet certification requirements, a CBES Certificate and a CBES Affidavit must be completed and sent to the Department of Public Service along with the appropriate supporting documentation. Further, certification must be permanently affixed to the outside of the heating or cooling equipment, to the electrical service panel located inside the building, or in a visible location in the vicinity of one of these three areas.
2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards: Compliance Documents & Tools
In effect from September 1, 2020
- 2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards (viewable only).* There are no 2020 stretch guidelines for commercial construction applicable to Act 250 projects.
A limited amount of hard copies are available. Contact the Energy Code Assistance Center on 1-855-887-0673 or e-mail ecacemail@veic.org.
- Historic Building Exemption Application Form To be returned to the State Historic Preservation Office for endorsement.
- 2020 CBES Certificate and Affidavits. Instructions for filling out the CBES Certificate and CBES Affidavits.
- COMcheck Software: Versions 4.1.5.3 of COMcheckTM contains support for the Vermont 2020 CBES. Currently, this is only available in a downloadable Windows format. COMcheckweb is now availible for use. Guidance on how to fill out COMcheck can be found on the Building Energy Codes Program resource page.
2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards: Compliance Documents & Tools
In effect from September 1, 2020
- 2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards (viewable only).* There are no 2020 stretch guidelines for commercial construction applicable to Act 250 projects.
A limited amount of hard copies are available. Contact the Energy Code Assistance Center on 1-855-887-0673 or e-mail ecacemail@veic.org.
- Historic Building Exemption Application Form To be returned to the State Historic Preservation Office for endorsement.
- 2020 CBES Certificate and Affidavits. Instructions for filling out the CBES Certificate and CBES Affidavits.
- COMcheck Software: Versions 4.1.5.3 of COMcheckTM contains support for the Vermont 2020 CBES. Currently, this is only available in a downloadable Windows format. COMcheckweb is now availible for use. Guidance on how to fill out COMcheck can be found on the Building Energy Codes Program resource page.
If you experience any problems with it please e-mail barry.murphy@vermont.gov with a description of the issue experienced and what you were trying to do when it occurred. Your help in this regard will enable an overall better product. COMcheckTM has been developed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to show compliance with the Vermont 2020 Commercial Building Energy Standards.
*Note: if you are having trouble accessing the free viewable version of either CBES 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 CBES
2020 CBES Training Videos
C405 & C406 - Electrical & Lighting & Additional Package Options
Efficiency Vermont also has pre-recorded on-line training available on their website dealing with the code update, including specific training focusing on items such as HVAC.
2015 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards: Compliance Documents & Tools
- 2015 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards (viewable only).* A limited amount of hard copies are available. Contact the Energy Code Assistance Center on 1-855-887-0673.
- 2015 Vermont Commercial Stretch Building Energy Guidelines to meet Criterion 9F of Act 250 Projects
- Historic Building Exemption Application Form To be returned to the State Historic Preservation Office for endorsement.
- 2015 CBES Certificate, Affidavit, and Instructions
- COMcheck Software: (listed under Vermont 2014) COMcheck Web is also available.
*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.
2011 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards: Compliance Documents & Tools
The 2005 Affidavit is being accepted by the Department of Public Service while the compliance software is being updated. This information will be updated with the 2011 Affidavit and instructions upon the availability of the Vermont compliant 2011 COMCheck software.
- 2011 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards (viewable only). A limited amount of hard copies are available. Contact the Energy Code Assistance Center at 1-855-887-0673.
- 2011 CBES Certificate, Affidavit, and Instructions
- COMcheck Software: Free downloadable software developed by the Department of Energy that can be used to demonstrate code compliance.
- COMcheck-Web: Free online software developed by the Department of Energy that can be used to demonstrate code compliance. There have been errors reported within this software. Please use the downloadable version for COMcheck compliance path.
Other Resources
- DOE Building Energy Codes Program
- New Buildings Institute (NBI)
- Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES)
- International Code Council (ICC) (electronic copies of the updated Vermont Commercial Energy Codebook available for purchase)
- Energy Code Assistance Center: 1-855-887-0673
For more information contact Barry Murphy at barry.murphy@vermont.gov or 802-828-3183.