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What is Title-24?
Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations: California's Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings were established in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption. The standards are updated periodically to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy efficiency technologies and methods. We are presently under the 2005 Standards, which went into effect October 1, 2005.
Why?
California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards (along with those for energy efficient appliances) have saved more than $56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs since 1978. It is estimated the standards will save an additional $23 billion by 2013 These are direct savings realized by the buildings owner/occupant.
How?
Commercial Buildings
In addition to mandatory measures (infiltration control and lighting, minimum insulation levels and equipment efficiencies) , the Standards provide two basic methods for complying with Nonresidential energy budgets: the prescriptive approach and the performance approach. The mandatory measures must be installed with either of these but note that mandatory measures may be superseded by more stringent measures under the prescriptive approach.
The prescriptive method is the approach we use initially for relatively simple buildings. Each individual energy component of the proposed building must meet a prescribed minimum efficiency. The prescriptive approach offers relatively little design flexibility but is easy to use. This approach is used about one half of the time for simple buildings
The performance method is more complicated but offers considerable design flexibility. The performance approach requires an approved computer software program that models a proposed building, determines its allowed energy budget, calculates its energy use, and determines when it complies with the budget. Design options such as window orientation, shading, thermal mass, lighting controls, and building configuration are all considered in the performance approach. This approach is used because of the flexibility and because it provides a way to find the most cost effective solution for complying with the Standards.
Residential Buildings
There are mandatory measures for residential buildings, as well, regarding insulation levels, equipment efficiencies, etc. We use the performance method for all residential buildings and additions, as it provides the most design flexibility.
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