Title 24 Background Information
California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Parts 6 and 11) is designed to reduce wasteful and unnecessary energy consumption in new and existing buildings. All newly constructed buildings, additions to existing buildings, and alterations to existing buildings are required to comply with the Standards. The California Energy Commission (CEC) updates the Standards every three years by working with stakeholders in a public and transparent process. The Standards establish performance requirements in the form of an “energy budget”, which is evaluated in terms of energy consumption per square foot of conditioned floor space. Public Resources Code Sections 25402 subdivisions (a)-(b) and 25402.1 emphasize the importance of building design and construction flexibility. For this reason, the Standards include both a prescriptive and a performance-based compliance option. Whereas the prescriptive option allows builders to comply using specific methods and technologies known to be efficient, the performance option allows builders freedom in their designs, provided the building achieves the same overall efficiency as an equivalent building using the prescriptive option. Utilities also rely on the performance option to determine incentives and rebates for energy efficiency programs.
The procedures for compliance involve determining the energy budget and the proposed building’s energy use to show that the Time Dependent Valuation (TDV) energy of the proposed design is less than or equal to the TDV energy of the standard design. The standard design is a building energy model (BEM) with the same geometry as the proposed design, but with a mechanical system that is prescribed by the HVAC System Map (Table 2 in the ACM Reference Manual). The performance of the standard design mechanical system, as well as the envelope and lighting features, are defined by the prescriptive package requirements.
The performance method is the most detailed and flexible compliance path. The energy performance of a proposed building design can be calculated according to actual building geometry and site placement. Credit for certain energy features, such as unconventional mechanical systems, cannot be taken in the prescriptive approach, but can be evaluated with an approved compliance software program utilizing the performance approach.
The Warren-Alquist Act requires “performance standards” that establish an energy budget for the building in terms of energy consumption per square foot of floor space. This requires a complex calculation of the estimated energy consumption of the building which is only feasible via computer simulation. The Energy Commission has developed public domain computer programs (i.e. CBECC-Com and CBECC-Res) that generate input files, run the input files through the relevant simulation engine(s), and compile the results in a coherent format for determining compliance. The Warren-Alquist Act also approves the use of privately developed computer programs as alternatives to the public domain computer programs. Both the public domain computer programs and the approved privately developed programs are known as alternative calculation methods, and these software are referred to as “compliance software.”
Non-Residential Alternative Compliance Manual (ACM) Appendices
2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards
- TABLE 110.2-A AIR CONDITIONERS AND CONDENSING UNITS – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-B HEAT PUMPS, MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-D WATER CHILLING PACKAGES – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-J Gas- and Oil-Fired Boilers, Minimum Efficiency requirements
- TABLE 140.3-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS (WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- TABLE 140.3-C – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS
- TABLE 140.6-C AREA CATEGORY METHOD - LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES (WATTS/FT²)
2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards
- TABLE 110.2-A AIR CONDITIONERS AND CONDENSING UNITS – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-D WATER CHILLING PACKAGES – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-E PACKAGED TERMINAL AIR CONDITIONERS AND PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-K Gas- and Oil-Fired Boilers, Minimum Efficiency requirements
- TABLE 140.3-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- TABLE 140.3-D PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR USE IN ALL CLIMATE ZONES
- TABLE 140.3-C – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS
- TABLE 140.3-D PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR USE IN ALL CLIMATE ZONES
- TABLE 140.6-C AREA CATEGORY METHOD - LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES (WATTS/FT²)
2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings
- TABLE 110.2-A ELECTRICALLY OPERATED UNITARY AIR CONDITIONERS AND CONDENSING UNITS – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-B UNITARY AND APPLIED HEAT PUMPS, MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-D WATER CHILLING PACKAGES – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS a,b
- TABLE 140.3-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- TABLE 140.3-C – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS
- TABLE 140.3-D PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR USE IN ALL CLIMATE ZONES
- TABLE 140.6-C AREA CATEGORY METHOD - LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES (WATTS/FT²)
2016 NONRESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE MANUAL
- Table 3-11: Floor/Soffit U-Factor Requirements
- Table 4-12: Minimum Ventilation Rates
- Table 6 – HVAC System Map
- Table 7 – Non-Residential Spaces (not including covered processes)
- Table 8 – System Map for Covered Processes
- Table 30 – Baseline Building Fan Control Method
2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings
CEC-400-2012-004-CMF-REV2.pdf
- TABLE 110.2-A ELECTRICALLY OPERATED UNITARY AIR CONDITIONERS AND CONDENSING UNITS – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-B UNITARY AND APPLIED HEAT PUMPS, MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 110.2-D WATER CHILLING PACKAGES – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS a,b
- TABLE 140.3-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- CONTINUED: TABLE 140.3-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- CONTINUED: TABLE 140.3-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- CONTINUED: TABLE 140.3-C – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS
- TABLE 140.3-D PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR USE IN ALL CLIMATE ZONES
- TABLE 140.6-C AREA CATEGORY METHOD - LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES (WATTS/FT²) 2013 NONRESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE MANUAL CEC-400-2013-004-CMF-REV.pdf
- Table 3-11: Floor/Soffit U-Factor Requirements
- Table 4-12: Minimum Ventilation Rates
- Table 6 – HVAC System Map
- Table 7 – Non-Residential Spaces (not including covered processes)
- Table 8 – System Map for Covered Processes
- Table 30 – Baseline Building Fan Control Method
2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings
CEC-400-2012-004-CMF-REV2.pdf
- TABLE 112-A ELECTRICALLY OPERATED UNITARY AIR CONDITIONERS AND CONDENSING UNITS – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 112-B UNITARY AND APPLIED HEAT PUMPS, MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 112-D WATER CHILLING PACKAGES – MINIMUM EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- Table 4-1 – (Standards Table 121-A) Minimum Ventilation Rates
- TABLE143-A – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING RELOCATABLE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES USE ONLY IN SPECIFIC CLIMATE ZONE; NOT INCLUDING HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS)
- TABLE 143-B – PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS
- TABLE 144-C AIR ECONOMIZER HIGH LIMIT SHUT OFF CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
- TABLE 146-F AREA CATEGORY METHOD - LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES (WATTS/FT²) 2008 NONRESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE MANUAL CEC-400-2008-003-CMF.PDF
- Table N2-13 – Standard Design HVAC System Selection
- Table N2-14 – System #1 and System #2 Descriptions