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Code Status: New Hampshire

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of New Hampshire. Information for all 50 States is also available. New Hampshire Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: The New Hampshire Energy Code is a state code that references the 2006 IECC amended to Climate Zone 6, statewide mandatory, REScheck can be used to comply.
  • Commercial Code: The New Hampshire Energy Code is a state code that references the 2006 IECC amended to Climate Zone 6, statewide mandatory, COMcheck can be used to comply.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Most recent update was effective on August 17, 2007.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: The New Hampshire Building Code Review Board has the authority to change the standards within the code. The procedure consists of public hearings held by the Review Board followed by public adoption or rejection of proposed amendments. The New Hampshire General Court (the state legislature) must concur with any amendments adopted by the Board within two years or the code reverts to the prior version. The 2006 IECC was adopted by the General Court in SB 81 and enshrined in RSA 155-A:1(IV). See Chapter 155-A of the New Hampshire Building Code.

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) administers the code by developing the code review process, approving applications, providing technical assistance and coordinating training.

State Code History: The original energy code for New Hampshire was enacted in response to PL-94-163. This enabling legislation was RSA 155:D, which applied to both residential and commercial buildings and was based on ASHRAE/IES Standard 90-75 and the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards "Code for Energy Conservation in New Building Construction" dated December 1977. RSA 155:C, which related to energy conservation in state-owned buildings, was later repealed. The residential standards and administrative sections of RSA 155:D were revised in 1986. The standards for commercial buildings were revised in 1993 to reflect the EPAct requirement for compliance with ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1989. In 1998, MEC95 standards were adopted. The Building Code Review Board and the General Court adopted the IECC 2000 in 2002.

Currently, New Hampshire has adopted the 2006 IECC Zone 6 as its residential and commercial energy codes.

On May 8, 2009, the Building Code Review Board heard public comments and adopted the 2009 IECC in its entirety, with an anticipated effective date of October 1, 2009 for the IECC and the rest of the ICC 2009 code series. A hearing is scheduled for June 12, 2009 to hear comments on and adopt state-specific amendments to the code. 

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 91.7 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 69.8 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 161.5 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 1,235,786
  • Total Housing Units2: 561,178
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 8,952
    • 1 unit: 7,241
    • 2 units: 268
    • 3 and 4 units: 213
    • 5+ units: 1,230
    • structures of 5+ units: 89

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt

Green Building Initiatives 

  

Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for New Hampshire's allocated amount and updated information. 

  

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Jonathan Osgood
Energy Conservation Coordinator
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Energy Division
21 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301-2429
Tel: (603) 271-6306
Fax: (603) 271-3878
Jon.Osgood@puc.nh.gov

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