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Code Status: California

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of California. Information for all 50 States is also available. California Code News.

Current State Codes

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: The California Building Standards Commission (BSC) is responsible for administering California's building standards adoption, publication, and implementation processes of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24. Since 1989, the BSC has published triennial editions of Title 24 in its entirety every three years. Detailed information on code promulgation and amendment procedures may be found under supporting documents.

State Code History: The first statewide energy requirements were established in 1975 by the Department of Housing and Community Development for all low-rise residential buildings. In 1974 the California legislature passed the Warren-Alquist Act establishing the California Energy Commission and authorizing the Commission to establish energy requirements for both residential and commercial buildings.

Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-20-04 on December 14, 2004, known as the Green Building Initiative. It laid out a comprehensive set of actions for California to take in order to improve energy efficiency in nonresidential buildings. The California Energy Commission was directed to undertake all actions within its authority to increase the efficiency requirements in the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards for nonresidential buildings by 20% by 2015.

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.

The second and final draft of the Residential Compliance Manual was posted on September 24, 2008. A second draft of the Nonresidential Compliance Manual was published on October 24, 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 new standards will be effective August 1, 2009.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 1,516.3 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 1,551.5 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 3,067.8 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 33,871,648
  • Total Housing Units2: 12,507,767
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 203,724
    • 1 unit: 146,774
    • 2 units: 2,526
    • 3 and 4 units: 5,580
    • 5+ units: 48,844
    • structures of 5+ units: 2,811

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Title 24 & Appliance Standards Hotline

Tel: 1-800-772-3300

Email: title24@energy.state.ca.us

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