California Energy Code

{{Short description|Section of the California Building Standards Code}}

{{Redirect|Title 24|the 24th book of the United States Code|Title 24 of the United States Code}}

The California Energy Code (also titled Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings), called simply Title 24 in industry, is the sixth section of the California Building Standards Code. The code was created by the California Building Standards Commission in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption. These standards are updated periodically by the California Energy Commission. The code includes energy conservation standards applicable to most buildings throughout California.{{cite web |url=http://shop.iccsafe.org/2016-california-energy-code-title-24-part-6-1.html |title=2016 California Energy Code, Title 24, Part 6 |website=Shop.ICCSafe.org |access-date=September 8, 2018 }}

The code's purpose is to advance the state's energy policy, develop renewable energy sources and prepare for energy emergencies.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} A 2020 study found that the 1978 energy code successfully reduced energy consumption, and that the implementation of the policy passed a cost-benefit test.{{cite journal |last1=Novan |first1=Kevin |last2=Smith |first2=Aaron |last3=Zhou |first3=Tianxia |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Residential Building Codes Do Save Energy: Evidence from Hourly Smart-Meter Data |journal=The Review of Economics and Statistics |volume=104 |issue=3 |pages=483–500 |doi=10.1162/rest_a_00967 |issn=0034-6535 |doi-access= }}

History

California was the first state to implement minimum energy efficiency standards in 1974. It was the first to establish an energy regulation commission – the California Energy Commission. These regulations and codes have been in effect since 1974. California has the lowest per capita energy consumption in the US.{{Cite web |title=Power Hungry |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccalerner/2017/08/09/power-hungry-the-states-that-use-the-most-and-least-energy-per-capita/#bebb8a81aadf |website=Forbes }}

Structure

The three general parts, which include all the responsibilities and criteria of the standards, are:

Mandatory requirements
Performance standards
Prescriptive standards

All buildings must follow the mandatory requirements. Performance standards vary by the building location and type.

These parts are designed to accomplish the following:

Forecast future energy need
Support energy and technology research
Develop renewable energy resources
Develop renewable transportation fuels and technologies

Climate zones

File:Climatezones.png in California]]

Standards vary based on climate zone. California is divided into 16 zones:{{cite web |title=2022 Reference Appendices |url=https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/CEC-400-2022-010-AP.pdf |website=Energy.ca.gov |publisher=California Energy Commission |date=August 2022 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |page=33 }}

2019 Code

The 2019 California Energy Code became effective on January 1, 2020.[https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/Title%2024%202019%20Building%20Standards%20FAQ%20ada.pdf 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Frequently Asked Questions], California Energy Commission, March 2018 It focuses on such areas such as residential photovoltaic systems, thermal envelope standards and non-residential lighting requirements.

Homes built under this code are about 53% more energy efficient than those built to comply with the 2016 Energy Code.{{cite web |title=The California Energy Commission {{!}} EFFICIENCY DIVISION 2019: Building Energy Efficiency Standards |url=https://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2019standards/documents/2018_Title_24_2019_Building_Standards_FAQ.pdf |date=March 2018 |publisher=California Energy Commission |access-date=April 25, 2019 }} This code provides a market for "smart" technologies.{{cite web |title=California Energy Code 2019 – Energy commission adopts standards requiring solar systems for new homes, First in Nation |url=https://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/2018_releases/2018-0509_building_standards_adopted_nr.html |publisher=California Energy Commission }}

The 2019 Code added photovoltaic system requirements for low-rise residential buildings. Exceptions grant a reduction in size for photovoltaic systems.{{cite web |title=Blueprint California Energy Commission-Issue 123 |url=https://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/blueprint/bp_compiled.pdf |publisher=California Energy Commission }}