Skip to main content
An Official Vermont Government Website

Commercial Building Energy Standards

Free hard copies of the updated 2024 Vermont Commercial Energy Codebook should be available by September 1st; until then, please refer to the list of amendments provided on this page and the 2020 CBES code book. Electronic copies will also be available for purchase through the International Code Council (ICC) website. Please get in touch with the Energy Code Assistance Center at 1-855-887-0673 to receive a free hard copy when they become available. There shall 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 and residential buildings four stories or greater above grade in Vermont and took effect January 1, 2007.

An update to CBES took effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all new commercial building construction, additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs. The 2024 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards shall be available in hard copy and online; 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 for ASHRAE 90.1 2019, with Vermont-specific requirements outlined in the energy code handbook.

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 days of July 1, 2024. Valid Permits include, but are not limited to, ACT 250 Permits, Zoning Permits, Electrical Interconnection Permits, and Sewage and wastewater permits.

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.

CBES 2024 Training Opportunities

CBES 2024 In-Person Trainings

Attend any of the five upcoming in-person trainings to learn about Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) updates for this most recent code cycle, with a focus on substantial changes and compliance options.  Each of the below in-person sessions run from 9am to 11:30am. Click on each link below to register:

CBES 2024 Online Trainings

Attend any of the three upcoming online-only trainings to learn about Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) updates for this most recent code cycle, with special focus areas as listed. Each of the below online sessions run from 7:30am to 8:30am. Click on each link below to register:

 

2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards: Compliance Documents & Tools

In effect from September 1, 2020

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.

2020 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards: Compliance Documents & Tools

In effect from September 1, 2020

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.

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

C402 - Building Envelope

C403 - Mechanical

C404 - Service Hot Water

C405 & C406 - Electrical & Lighting & Additional Package Options

C407 - Building Commissioning

C501 - Existing Buildings

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

*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

For more information contact Barry Murphy at barry.murphy@vermont.gov or 802-828-3183.