The Town of Epping, New Hampshire, population 5,476, established a more stringent energy code than the state, which adopted the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2006 Edition with amendments. The town's energy efficiency and sustainable design code is based on a system that awards points for various sustainable elements and energy production practices. Epping’s point system is similar to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system in establishing criteria to meet heightened energy efficiency standards of a building. The point score system is based on the square footage of a building, the larger the square footage the more points the building will need. Points are given based on a variety of energy efficiencies. Examples include HVAC efficiencies, building orientation, reduction in water usage, source of building materials, and the use of distributed generation. For instance, installation of a PV system that has a rating equal to a range of 10% - 50% of the estimated base load or as a full peak shaving installation will be awarded 10-15 points.

The town also allows for innovative techniques on a case-by-case basis to convey compliance in a specific effort to promote new technologies and flexibility. These technologies include: Fuel Cell based co-generation, Stirling engine co-generation (external combustion engines), and Small-scale biomass and biosynthetic oil co-generation installations. The Planning Board will promote the use of these technologies if there is sufficient evidence to show that is sufficient security in place to secure the operation and maintenance of the installation for a period of five years, that the rated output of electrical generation is larger than 2.5 kW in a continuous operational mode, and that there are sufficient environmental, economic, and experimental benefits to be gained from the installation. If the Planning Board finds the system is in compliance, then it will be awarded 10-15 points. Moreover, a building may be awarded a point if it is oriented to optimize passive solar heating and cooling opportunities, minimize wind loads on structures, or if its windows are placed to maximize solar penetration during the winter months and minimize solar penetration during the summer months.