Source: AAMA
The California Energy Commission is wrapping up changes to the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6 (also known as the California Energy Code). As of late August, the revised standards are scheduled to take effect in January 2014, following final approval of the California Building Standards Commission.
California's building efficiency standards are updated on an approximately three-year cycle. The 2013 Standards will continue to improve upon the current 2008 Standards for new construction of, and additions and alterations to, residential and nonresidential buildings. The updated Standards continue to implement a number of state energy policy directives that have evolved since 2003, among which are:
The California Energy Code is hosting public process and rulemaking proceedings to adopt the changes. The California Energy Code staff is conducting workshops to present revisions to the Standards and obtain public suggestions and comment. The scope, time and date of these workshops are to be publicly announced.
- GreenHouse Gas considerations, which identify buildings as second only to transportation in emissions. Legislation like AB32 (2006, 2010) and executive orders (S-3-05, 2005) have established goals of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050.
- New building standards are to achieve "net zero energy" levels by 2020 for residences and by 2030 for commercial buildings. A net zero energy building consumes only as much energy on an annual basis as can be generated with an on-site renewable energy system.
- The Green Building Standards Code, first adopted by the California Building Standards Commission in July 2008, calls for tiered energy performance levels of 15 percent and 30 percent more stringent than the 2008 mandatory standards. These goals are voluntary on a statewide basis, but local jurisdictions may adopt the Green Building Standards Code as mandatory at the local level.
The California Energy Code is hosting public process and rulemaking proceedings to adopt the changes. The California Energy Code staff is conducting workshops to present revisions to the Standards and obtain public suggestions and comment. The scope, time and date of these workshops are to be publicly announced.