Beyond Standard Building Codes

California leads the nation in energy efficiency and savings

New California building standards for energy efficiency that are 15 to 20 percent more strict than previous codes went into effect Jan. 1 in the state’s continuing move toward zero-net energy homes and buildings that will save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The new Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards were the topic of a two-part workshop at CCSE presented by Mark Madison, president of Energy Code Works of Irvine, Calif. Although more stringent, the codes introduce several new energy credits that can be used to bring a project into “green building” compliance in a cost-effective manner, Madison said.

Title 24 applies to new construction, as well as additions and modifications to existing buildings, and has different requirements by building type (residential versus nonresidential) and climate zone location. The codes are updated about every three years to reflect new energy-efficiency goals and improvements in building materials.

First introduced in 1978, Title 24 standards, along with standards for energy-efficient appliances, have saved Californians more than $56 billion in electrical and natural gas expenses, according to the California Energy Commission. The result has been that while per capita electricity use increased by nearly 50 percent in the nation as a whole since the mid-1970s, California has been able to hold per capita electricity use essentially constant. Title 24 standards cover building envelope (walls, roofs, windows, insulation, etc), heating and cooling ( HVAC) systems, water heating and lighting.

During the seminar, “Going Beyond Residential Title 24,” Madison outlined strategies for achieving even greater home energy efficiencies to a roomful of building contractors, architects, energy consultants and homeowners eager to understand the new green building standards. By exceeding Title 24, homeowners can obtain a variety of state incentives, utility rate reductions, mortgages based on energy efficiency, LEED certification and other enticements depending on locality.

Madison used as an example a 1,800-square-foot, two-story single-family residence. Using software that calculates a design plan’s projected annual energy use, he showed that the home achieved the new Title 24 standards. He then added a variety of upgrades to the home’s envelope and its HVAC systems to demonstrate it is still possible to exceed the new minimum standards by 35 percent in a cost-effective way.

Madison added envelope upgrades to the home design: slightly thicker wall and ceiling insulation, reflective radiant barrier under the roofing cover, air-tight house wrap on exterior walls and ENERGY STAR windows. This resulted in a 13 percent better than standard energy-efficiency rating. By adding more efficient HVAC equipment and “zoning” interior spaces with individual air temperature sensors, he brought the energy improvement to 25 percent.

As a final step, Madison added improvements to duct sealing, refrigerant charge levels, fan watt draw and other performance measures that require verification by third-party inspectors after installation. This brought the home’s energy design to 36 percent better than standard, which would qualify for LEED and ENERGY STAR certification, as well as most all utility and municipal incentive and loan programs.

“The verification measures provide a unique form of quality control in the home construction process,” Madison said. “Any energy code can only be effective in achieving its goals of reducing wasteful energy consumption if the energy-saving features are installed correctly and not circumvented by poor workmanship or lack of diligent enforcement.”

Zero-net energy home – when the amount of energy provided by onsite renewable energy sources is equal to the amount of energy used by the residence.

Need to know more about Title 24 compliance? The state maintains a toll-free hotline at (800) 772-3300 or visit the California Energy Commission website.

New Residential Energy-Efficiency Funding

The California Public Utilities Commission ( CPUC) approved the largest energy-efficiency program in U.S. history in 2009, authorizing $3.1 billion in consumer rebates and efficiency programs over the next three years and bringing the state closer to meeting greenhouse gas emission reductions in the California Global Warming Solutions Act.

Among other things, the sweeping effort will retrofit up to 130,000 homes to cut their energy use by 20 percent by 2012. The decision funds $175 million for innovative programs to deliver zero-net energy homes and commercial buildings, including design assistance, incentives for above code construction and research and demonstration of new technologies and materials. It will spend $260 million to retrofit government facilities throughout the state and more than $100 million for education and training programs to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled blue and white collar energy-efficiency professionals.

For all new buildings, builders or homeowners can get money for incorporating 15 percent better energy savings than are already required by California’s Title 24 Energy code. To do this, they will need to incorporate cutting-edge efficiency in windows, insulation, lighting and more efficient water heating and cooling systems.

The measure approved by the CPUC can be read at their website.

Consumer Energy Tax Incentives

The newest federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives (a tax credit, not a deduction) provide a much larger and attractive carrot than in previous years.

Replacement windows/doors/skylights (U-factor & SGHC of 0.30): 30% of the cost, up to $1,500
Upgraded insulation (2009 IECC min.): 30% of cost up to $1,500
HVAC (95% AFUE furnace & 16 SEER A/C): 30% of cost up to $1,500
Replacement tankless water heater (energy factor 82%): 30% of cost up to $1,500
Solar Water Heater: 30% of cost with no cap
Photovoltaic Systems: 30% of cost with no cap

Upcoming Related Workshops

Solar for Homeowners – Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25

Solar Water Heating Basics for Homeowners – Jan. 28, Feb. 25

Home Energy Monitoring – Feb. 9

Green Value: The Economics of Green Building – Feb. 18

For additional information and complete workshop schedule, visit the CCSE Workshop Calendar

Continue reading January's newsletter.