Section SECTION C407 - TOTAL BUILDING PERFORMANCE SECTIONC407 BUILDING PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION METHODS
C407.1Scope. The following sections C407.1.1 or C407.1.2 are approved performance certification methods to demonstrate compliance without calculation of a standard reference design. Exception: Energy used to recharge or refuel vehicles that are used for on-road and off-site transportation purposes, or energy losses from use of behind-the-meter energy storage, should not be included in determining building performance.
C407.1.1HERS Index (HERS) for multi-family buildings. For residential units within a building up to 5 stories above grade plane, a HERS rater verified HERS Index (HERS) score of 52 or less for each finished unit, together with a completed and HERS rater verified set of ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) program. Checklists may be used.C407.1.2Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) or Passive House Institute (PHI) certification. Projects design certified (precertified) through PHIUS or PHI, with a certified Passive House Consultant or certified Passive House Designer verified "as-built" report demonstrating compliance with the PHIUS or PHI standard.C407.2Mandatory requirements. Compliance with this section requires compliance with Sections C402.3 and C405.C407.3HERS-based compliance. Compliance based on an HERS analysis requires that the rated design be shown to have an HERS Index less than or equal to 52 when compared to the HERS reference design prior to credit for onsite renewable electric generation. The Home Energy Rating Index (HERS) shall be determined in accordance with RESNET/ICC standard 301.C407.4Compliance software tools. Software tools used for determining ERI shall be Approved Software Rating Tools in accordance with RESNET/ICC 301. Where calculations require input values not specified by Sections R402, R403, R404 and R405, those input values shall be taken from RESNET/ ICC 301. Software tools for determining Passive House certification shall be approved software tools by PHIUS or PHI.C407.5Documentation. Documentation verifying that the methods and accuracy of compliance software tools conform to the provisions of this section shall be provided to the building official, in accordance with Sections C407.5.1 through C407.5.2C407.5.1HERS Documentation. C507.5.1.1 Prior to the issuance if a building permit, the following items must be provided to the Building Official:1. A HERS compliance report which includes a proposed HERS index score of 52 or lower;2. A description of the unit's energy features;3. A statement that the rating index score is ""based on plans".C507.5.1.2 Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the following items must be provided to the Building official:1. A copy of the final certificate indicating that the HERS rating index score for each unit is verified to be 52 or less;2. A completed HERS rater verified ENERGY STAR Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist.C407.5.2Documentation. Compliance with Phius or PHI shall be in accordance with C407.5.2.1 or C407.5.2.2 C407.5.2.1Phius Documentation. When using WUFI Passive or other Phius approved software: 1. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the following item(s) must be provided to the Building Official: a. A Phius 2021 (or newer) Verification Report which demonstrates project compliance with Phius 2021 (or newer) performance requirements.b. A statement from the CPHC that the verification report results accurately reflect the plans submitted.c. Evidence of project registration from Phius.OR
a. A Design Certification Letter from Phius.2. Prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy, the following items must be provided to the building official: a. Design Certification Letter from Phius.b. An updated Verification Report by the CPHC which reflects "as-built" conditions and test results that demonstrate project compliance with Phius (blower door and ventilation results).c. A statement from the CPHC that the envelope meets the Phius hygrothermal requirements found in Appendix B of the Phius 2021 Certification guidebookd. A statement from the Phius Certified Verifier or Rater that the project test results and other Phius verification requirements are met.e. A copy of the Phius workbook listing all testing results and as-built conditions. OR
a. A Project Certificate demonstrating final certification awarded by Phius.AND
f. A statement from the Phius Verifier or Rater of compliance with C405.13: EV ready, and Appendix CB: Solar Ready Provisions.C407.5.2.2Passive House International (PHI) Documentation.1. If using PHI Passive House software, prior to the issuance of a building permit, the following item(s) must be provided to the Building Official: a. A PHPP compliance report which demonstrates project compliance with current PHI performance requirements;b. A statement from the Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer (CPHC/D) that the PHPP results and compliance report accurately reflect the plans submitted;c. Evidence of project registration from a Certified Passive House Certifier.OR
a. A Design Certification Letter from a Certified Passive House Certifier.2. Prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy, the following items must be provided to the building official:a. A Design Certification Letter from a Certified Passive House Certifier.b. An updated PHPP compliance report which reflects "as-built" conditions and test results (blower door and ventilation results) that demonstrates project compliance with PHI performance requirements;c. A copy of the Passive House Verifier's or Rater's test results;d. A statement from the CPHD that the project test results meet the model performance requirements, all the mandatory limits and any other mandatory requirements.OR
a. A Final Certification Letter from a Certified Passive House Certifier AND
e. A statement from the Passive House Verifier or Rater of compliance with C405.13: EV ready, and Appendix CB: Solar Ready Provisions.C407.6Verification by approved agency. Verification of compliance with Section C407 shall be completed by an approved third party. For compliance using an ERI certification, verification of compliance shall be completed by the certified HERS rater. For compliance using PHIUS or PHI, verification of compliance shall be completed by a certified Passive House verifier or certifier.780 CMR, CHAPTER 13, CHAPTER 4 [CE], SECTION C407
Amended by Mass Register Issue 1532, eff. 10/11/2024.