Energy Code Support
Efficiency Vermont is here to help Vermonters understand the most up to date State of Vermont building codes. We invite you to use the resources listed below as guidance. To request a hard copy of the RBES Handbook, CBES Standards, or technical assistance with energy codes please call us at 855-887-0673 (toll free).
Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)
Residential Building Energy Standards
Located on Vermont Public Service Department website
Located on Vermont Public Service Department website
Brochure – Residential Energy Code
Video – RBES Training
Learn about recent changes that are now in effect for the Vermont residential building energy standards.
Learn about recent changes that are now in effect for the Vermont residential building energy standards.
Video – RBES & Building Envelope Assemblies Training
This 1-hour training gives a deeper dive into the 2020 RBES and Building Envelope Assembly options.
This 1-hour training gives a deeper dive into the 2020 RBES and Building Envelope Assembly options.
Video – RBES for Government Officials
Get an introduction to Residential Building Energy Standards from Steve Spatz with Efficiency Vermont. This training is geared for municipal officials, planning commissions, and energy committees.
Get an introduction to Residential Building Energy Standards from Steve Spatz with Efficiency Vermont. This training is geared for municipal officials, planning commissions, and energy committees.
2020 RBES Official Code Documents
2020 RBES ICC Code Book
Adopted State of Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards
Adopted State of Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards
2020 RBES Project Completion Certificate
Form required to be completed and filed with the Town and DPS for every eligible residential construction project
Form required to be completed and filed with the Town and DPS for every eligible residential construction project
2020 RBES Owner/Builder Disclosure Statement
An alternative compliance document to the standard RBES project completion certificate for qualifying Owner/Builder projects
An alternative compliance document to the standard RBES project completion certificate for qualifying Owner/Builder projects
Residential New Construction Envelope Testing Contractors
The 2020 RBES requires that all new construction projects be tested upon completion for building envelope air-leakage and testing results reported from a verified third party as part of the completion of the RBES project certificate. The link offers a list of VT DPS certified building envelope testing contractors.
The 2020 RBES requires that all new construction projects be tested upon completion for building envelope air-leakage and testing results reported from a verified third party as part of the completion of the RBES project certificate. The link offers a list of VT DPS certified building envelope testing contractors.
Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES)
Commercial Building Energy Standards
Digital copy located on Vermont Public Service Department website. Contact us to request a hard copy.
Digital copy located on Vermont Public Service Department website. Contact us to request a hard copy.
Video – CBES Training
Learn about recent changes that are now in effect for the Vermont commercial building energy standards.
Learn about recent changes that are now in effect for the Vermont commercial building energy standards.
Video – CBES Lighting & Electrical Vehicle Training
Learn about recent changes that are now in effect for the Vermont commercial building energy standards specific to lighting & electrical vehicle installation requirements.
Learn about recent changes that are now in effect for the Vermont commercial building energy standards specific to lighting & electrical vehicle installation requirements.
Video – CBES for Government Officials
Get an introduction to Commercial Building Energy Standards from Barry Murphy of the Vermont Public Service Department, and Charlie Carpenter with Efficiency Vermont. This training is geared for municipal officials, planning commissions, and energy committees.
Get an introduction to Commercial Building Energy Standards from Barry Murphy of the Vermont Public Service Department, and Charlie Carpenter with Efficiency Vermont. This training is geared for municipal officials, planning commissions, and energy committees.
2020 CBES Official Code Documents
2020 CBES ICC Code Book
Adopted State of Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards
Adopted State of Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards
2020 CBES Project Certificate
This certificate is for projects whose state or local permit application was submitted on or after September 1, 2020
This certificate is for projects whose state or local permit application was submitted on or after September 1, 2020
2020 CBES Project Certificate Completion Instructions
Instructions for Completing the Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards Design and Construction Affidavits
Instructions for Completing the Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards Design and Construction Affidavits
ECAC RBES Supporting Documents
These documents support building professionals and homeowners in understanding the requirements of the code as they pertain to specific trades. They summarize the vital content out of the full code that specific trades need to understand in order to properly interpret and adhere to the RBES code. They do not stand to replace the full content of the RBES code, but rather to assist in navigation of the individual sections. The ICC published RBES document should always be referenced for understanding full compliance with the RBES code.
RBES Chapter Summary
Brief description of each of the 6 chapters of the code
Brief description of each of the 6 chapters of the code
Builders/Designers/General Contractors
Builder & General Contractor Definitions
Summary of the most relevant definitions of terms referenced in the code for builders/designers/general contractors
Summary of the most relevant definitions of terms referenced in the code for builders/designers/general contractors
Chapter 1 / Building General Requirements
Definitions and building types required to meet the RBES code
Definitions and building types required to meet the RBES code
Chapter 3 / General Design Criteria
Design conditions and criteria for building envelope, mechanical, and ventilation systems
Design conditions and criteria for building envelope, mechanical, and ventilation systems
Chapter 4 / Residential Energy Efficiency
Covers the basic building envelope and systems component requirements and compliance methods, including performance values
Covers the basic building envelope and systems component requirements and compliance methods, including performance values
Section R405-406 Alternative Compliance
UA alternative to Prescriptive Requirements and ResCheck software compliance option
UA alternative to Prescriptive Requirements and ResCheck software compliance option
HVAC and Mechanical Contractors
HVAC General Definitions
Summary of the most relevant definitions of terms referenced in the code for HVAC/Mechanical contractors
Summary of the most relevant definitions of terms referenced in the code for HVAC/Mechanical contractors
Mechanical Systems Requirements
Design conditions, criteria, and system performance requirements for mechanical and ventilation systems
Design conditions, criteria, and system performance requirements for mechanical and ventilation systems
Ventilation Installation Best Practices
Installation requirements for mandatory whole-house ventilation systems, and best-practice system design for balanced heat recovery ventilation system applications
Installation requirements for mandatory whole-house ventilation systems, and best-practice system design for balanced heat recovery ventilation system applications
Solid Fuel Burning Requirements
Mandatory requirements for combustion air and sealed fireboxes for solid fuel (wood) stoves and fireplaces
Mandatory requirements for combustion air and sealed fireboxes for solid fuel (wood) stoves and fireplaces
Appendix RA / Procedure for Worst-Case Testing of Combustion Appliances
Alternative testing option for allowing atmospheric vented fossil fuel and solid fuel (wood) burning appliances
Alternative testing option for allowing atmospheric vented fossil fuel and solid fuel (wood) burning appliances
Recorded webinars - 2020 RBES Trainings
Overview for Builders, Designers & Engineers
General summary of the 2020 RBES code, compliance options, and design requirements (~2.5hr)
General summary of the 2020 RBES code, compliance options, and design requirements (~2.5hr)
Overview for Existing Homes
Existing Homes compliance requirements for Additions, Alterations, and Repairs (~15min)
Existing Homes compliance requirements for Additions, Alterations, and Repairs (~15min)
Overview for Prescriptive Compliance
The Prescriptive Compliance Method is the most common method used by builders for compliance with the VT RBES. The 2020 code also adds a points requirement based on building size and is linked to all compliance options for the code (~15min)
The Prescriptive Compliance Method is the most common method used by builders for compliance with the VT RBES. The 2020 code also adds a points requirement based on building size and is linked to all compliance options for the code (~15min)
2020 RBES & CBES HVAC Contractors
Covers the specific requirements in the code that apply to mechanical contractors (~1.5hr)
Covers the specific requirements in the code that apply to mechanical contractors (~1.5hr)
VBRA hosted webinar on Mechanical Requirements
Covers the requirements for mechanical contractors in the code as well as going deeper into whole-house ventilation options and whole-house heat pump heating system sizing and design(~1.25hr)
Covers the requirements for mechanical contractors in the code as well as going deeper into whole-house ventilation options and whole-house heat pump heating system sizing and design(~1.25hr)
Key Changes to RBES
Brief overview of the key changes to the RBES from the 2015 version. For those more fully acquainted with the application of the RBES (~20min)
Brief overview of the key changes to the RBES from the 2015 version. For those more fully acquainted with the application of the RBES (~20min)