Title 24 Standards
The California
Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency,
charged with ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply. Created by the
Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission has five major
responsibilities:
Title 24
Title 24 is the
California Building Code, governing all aspects of building construction.
Included in the code, Part 6, are standards mandating energy efficiency
measures in new construction. Since being first established in 1977, the
building efficiency standards (along with standards for energy efficiency in
appliances) have helped Californians save more than $11 billion in electricity
and natural gas costs. The standards are updated every three years to allow new
energy efficiency technologies to be considered.
The official edition
of the code is available from the International Conference of Building
Officials (ICBO) by calling 800-284-4406. A complementary copy of Title 24,
Part 6, Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential
Buildings, is available from the Energy Commission's publications unit by
calling: 916-654-5200. Questions about the energy standards should be addressed
to the Commission's Standards Hotline by calling, 916-654-5106 or toll free in
California 800-772-3300.
The Energy Efficiency
Standards require certain features to be installed in new construction
(mandatory measures) and then allow the builder to choose either a prescriptive
or performance path to complete the energy budget portion of the efficiency
requirements in residential construction. The prescriptive path is simple but
inflexible; the performance path, though more complex, offers the builder wide
latitude in designing the best home for the market.
Home Energy Ratings
The Commission is
required by statute to oversee home energy rating system (HERS) providers to
insure consistent, accurate and uniform ratings. The building standards provide
compliance credit for quality design, sealing and installation of ducts and
sealing of building envelopes. As a condition for obtaining these compliance
credits, independent field verification and diagnostic testing by certified
HERS providers and raters is required. The Commission has adopted HERS
regulations that establish requirements for HERS providers and raters doing
this field verification and diagnostic testing. The Commission is also working
on regulations relating to how HERS ratings are to be conducted for new and
existing residences.
Residential Manual
The purpose of the Residential
Manual is to explain clearly how to comply with and enforce the current
standards for residential buildings. The Manual is written as both a reference
source and an instructional guide, and it can be used by architects, builders,
building owners, designers, energy consultants, enforcement agency personnel, engineers, mechanical
contractors and others directly or indirectly involved in the compliance
process. The Manual can be viewed and downloaded from the Commission's Web site at http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/ or ordered from the Commission's
publications unit by calling 916-654-5200. The Commission will publish the
Manual and Standards in CD-ROM format soon as a handy alternative to the
hard-copy version. Check with the Commission’s publication unit for
availability.
Home Energy Guide
The Home Energy Guide was
created by the California Energy Commission to provide homeowners information
on the energy saving features of their new home. Homes built in California, and
the appliances used in those homes, must meet specific energy efficiency
standards set out in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24. These
standards, particularly when combined with quality construction techniques
noted below, can provide owners of newly constructed homes with greater comfort
and efficiency. The Home Energy Guide can help the homeowner realize the
added comfort and energy savings. Inside the Guide are forms that explain the
energy saving features of the home and fact sheets with simple operation and
maintenance tips.
If you would like to order a copy
of the Home Energy Guide, please contact the California Energy Commission's
publications unit at the address noted below.
Quality Construction
The California Energy Commission
has taken a new direction and is starting to focus on Quality Construction
issues. The residential efficiency standards have new features that award
compliance credit for improvements in the quality of design and installation
of ducts and the construction of less leaky building envelopes. Many of these
new credits require installer diagnostics and field verification by a certified
Home Energy Rater. The Residential Manual, explains the credits, how to obtain
them and any diagnostic/verification requirements. The chapter’s four major
sections (Duct Efficiency, Infiltration and Ventilation, Diagnostics/Field
Verification and Procedures for HVAC System Design and Installation) walk
the reader through these issues. To obtain a copy, contact the Commission’s
publication unit at the number noted below.
Energy
efficiency features in a home provide the greatest comfort and savings when
installed well. Quality construction can reduce call backs, increase builder
sales and profits, and satisfied customers will enjoy lower home energy costs,
improved comfort in their homes and a healthy indoor environment. The Energy
Commission's Quality Homes Web page provides builders with the latest
techniques for: HVAC system design and installation, installation of
insulation, caulking and sealing, installation of windows, framing designs, and
mechanical ventilation. Verify quality construction with diagnostic tools and
receive Title 24 Building Energy Standards compliance credits, utility
incentives and Energy Efficient Mortgage financing. Visit the Commission's web
page at www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/qualityhomes
to gain further information.
Energy
Standards Hotline
California
Energy Commission
Energy
Standards Hotline
(916)
654-5106
or
toll free in California
(800)
772-3300
HOURS:
Monday
through Friday
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
E-mail: CallCntr@energy.state.ca.us
The Energy Hotline,
run by the California Energy Commission's Efficiency Division, provides callers
with comprehensive and timely technical information on how to comply with the
Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards and information on Appliances
certified for sale in California. Used daily by hundreds of utility, building
and energy professionals, the Energy Hotline responds quickly to
technical questions with a variety of consumer services. These include:
·
Technical information and detailed personal responses l
Blueprint
The Blueprint is a
newsletter of the California Energy Commission focusing on the Building
Efficiency Standards. It provides information on the standards in a question
and answer format and includes updates on helpful documents and training
opportunities. Call the Standards Hotline at 800-772-3300 to be placed on
the Blueprint
mailing-list #50.
How to Contact the
Energy Commission
Main Phone Numbers
Hotline 800 772-3300
(California only)
Hotline 916 654-5106
Hotline FaxBack System
916 653-6830
General Inquiries 916
654-4304 (Fax)
California Energy
Commission Website
California Energy
Commission Publications Office
California Energy
Commission
Publications, MS-13
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-5200
Disclaimer
This report does not
necessarily represent the views of the California Energy Commission, its
employees or the State of California. The Commission, the State of California,
its employees, contractors and subcontractors make no warranty, express or
implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this report; nor does any party
represent that the use of this information will not infringe upon privately
owned rights. This report has not been approved or disapproved by the
Commission, however, Commission staff has reviewed the Commission supplied
information for accuracy. Since the regulations referred to in this report are
subject to change, please confirm the accuracy of the information by contacting
the Commission’s Energy Standards Hotline at (916) 654-5106 or toll free in
California at (800) 772-3300.
Fact Sheet Source
The information provided in this
fact sheet was created with the assistance of the California Energy Commission
and is being used with their permission.