California Adopts Improved Title 24 Effective August 2009
[Updated January 13, 2009]
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has completed the rulemaking process for the 2008 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations). The Energy Commission adopted the 2008 Standards on April 23, 2008, and the Building Standards Commission approved them for publication on September 11, 2008.
A first analysis of the 2008 code revealed an average energy performance at least 21% more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1-2004. Even better results are likely after more definitive testing. The effective date of the new standards has changed from July 1, 2009 to August 1, 2009 so that all parts of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24), including the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, will have the same effective date.
California's building 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.
The CEC has posted the final proposed version of the Residential Compliance Manual, which was certified by the CEC on December 17, 2008. It has also posted a final draft of the Nonresidential Compliance Manual, which will be considered for adoption at the CEC Business Meeting on January 14, 2009.
For more information, please visit the California Energy Commission's website.
For California code status information, please consult the BCAP California Code Status page.