Air Tight News | Winter Edition | December, 2020

Airtight Insight is intended to keep builders, developers, renovators, architects, code officials, and building owners up to date on utility sponsored energy efficiency incentives and rebate changes. New relevant articles on building science are featured.
Air Tight Insight is a publication of Ace Energy Services, Inc. a HERS Rating company that puts building science knowledge to work by designing and installing high-efficiency air-source heat pumps, ventilation systems, and indoor air quality monitoring and remediation equipment for businesses and homes. Please feel free to visit our web site: www.AceEnergyMA.com.

Taking Control of Indoor Air Quality
by Starting with IAQ Monitoring

Monitoring Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a critical first step in understanding baseline conditions in a business or home so that appropriate measures can be taken to address pollutants and their potential effects on human health. Analyzing patterns of certain measured pollutants over the course of a week or a month quickly reveals how a building is functioning and can identify the sources that cause poor indoor air quality.
Two examples are gyms and homes. In the case of one gym, while staying in a safe range, monitored carbon dioxide (Co2) levels varied measurably depending on the number of people using the gym. Additionally, certain areas of the gym away from ventilation show higher concentrations of Co2. In the case of homes, they consistently show high levels of Co2 when cooking without a range hood that vents to the outside. Simply turning on the fan results in a significant of reduction of Co2 throughout the kitchen and connected living area. A Thanksgiving gathering started with a remarkably high levels of Co2 (about 1900 ppm) and was quickly dropped to a safe range (500-800 ppm) by turning on a range hood fan and opening a couple of windows. This also comforted the masked people at that gathering by allowing them to “breathe more easily”.
The examples above of Co2 monitoring are especially useful. However, measuring multiple parameters at the same time provides a lot of information about how a building as a system (home or business) is working. Tracking Co2, Particulate Matter, Volatile Organic Compounds, Temperature, and Humidity simultaneously over time can be very elucidating. More to come on this in future IAQ articles.
One thing for sure is that it that taking control of indoor air quality is possible and it feels good knowing a positive result is achieved.

Financial Incentives and Rebates Update

As 2020 draws to a close, state incentive and rebate program administrators are eager to distribute funds they budgeted for the year. What follows are descriptions of program changes and updates.

Mass Save

Mass Save – Renovations and Additions Program
As of October 5th, the Mass Save R & A (renovations & additions) program has given energy raters the go-ahead to resume in-person visits for customers participating in the program. We will follow the safety protocols established by Mass Save to ensure the safety of homeowners and auditors, including the use of PPE on all site visits. In addition, the program has been improved with the introduction of tools for the measurement of before-and-after energy consumption comparison, to allow for maximum rebates for energy improvements. Most residential renovation and addition projects at single-family and multi-family homes with three stories or less are eligible for assessments and energy improvement incentives. It’s best to start by calling 1-800-628-8413 or email RenovateAddMA@icf.com. HERS Raters are required for participation and can be very helpful in maximizing the rebate amount.
More Information

MA DOER

The MA DOER has a program running that is state-wide and apply in municipalities that do not have gas or electricity from a major utility company.

MA DOER – Alternative Energy Credits (AECs)
The purpose of the AEC’s is to provide an incentive for installing eligible alternative energy systems, which are not necessarily renewable, but contribute to the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals.
Eligible APS Renewable Thermal technologies include: Air Source Heat Pumps Systems, Ground Source Heat Pumps Systems, Thermal Solar Systems, Wood Biomass Systems, and Liquid Biofuel Systems. Eligibility requirements are listed at the MA DOER website.
Rebate amounts are market based and can change. Nevertheless, this is a very worthwhile rebate in which to apply.
More Information

Whole Home Air Source Heat Pump Pilot Program.

MA CEC provides rebates for the installation of whole-home air-source heat pump (“ASHP”) systems at residential properties. This is specifically for existing homes currently with natural gas and new construction projects designed to operate without fossil fuels. This pilot is meant to support ASHP systems that function as the sole source of heating in a home without the need for supplementary or back-up heat. Rebates can only be provided by listed contractors and each rebate must be approved prior to starting a heat pump installation. CEC has extended this program through June 2021.

Useful links:

Code Update – MA Adopts IECC 2018

Working with a certified HERS rater remains a key part of the Energy Rating Index (ERI) program, and there are some changes to note to the program that at first glance seem minor but will have an impact on your documentation requirements as well as your ERI Index score. Here is a summary of ERI path changes:

  • Changes to buried duct regulations include a clearer definition of buried-duct practices that are explicitly allowed and a simplified credit for buried ducts in the performance path.
  • Minor improvement to window efficiency rating: 0.6-1.1% improvement in the prescriptive path.
  • Easing of the Energy Rating Index Targets combined with improving thermal envelope requirements when using on-site renewables. For example, energy used to recharge vehicles is excluded from the ERI score.

For details, see https://www.mass.gov/info-details/building-energy-code.

Useful links

Federal Tax Credit 45L Extension

The Federal Government recently passed an extension of the 45L Residential Tax Credit 2018, 2019 and 2020. You may be able to claim the 45L Tax Credit retroactively thanks to the New Home Energy Efficiency Act. The House signed the bill and the Senate has approved for the 45L tax credits to be allowable retroactively for projects placed in service from 1/1/2018 – 12/31/2020. Taxpayers can now amend their 2018 tax return and apply the $2,000 45L credits to their 2018 tax year, or in some situations file a Form 3115 with their 2019 tax return claiming the credits in the current year.

Background on 45L

The 45L Tax Credit is an energy-efficient tax credit for residential properties. The tax credit is $2,000 per home to the builders and developers of energy-efficient buildings. Qualifying properties include: Apartments, Condos, Townhouses, and Single-family Homes. All eligible properties must be three stories or lower and must incorporate energy-efficient features such as roofing, windows, doors or HVAC systems.

If Ace Energy Services has done a HERS rating for you or your company in the last two years, contact us and we can tell you if each and all the homes you built qualify for the credit. We can provide you with a report which you can submit to the IRS to take advantage of this substantial credit.

Air Tight Insight is a publication of Ace Energy Services, Inc. a HERS Rating company that puts building science knowledge to work with effective building enclosure air sealing services and by designing and installing high-efficiency air-source heat pumps coupled with smart ventilation systems for single-family, multi-family, and light commercial buildings.

Please feel free to visit our new web site: www.AceEnergyMA.com.