Title 24, Part 6
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| Title 24, Part 6 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Title 24, Part 6 |
| Jurisdiction | California |
| Subject | Building energy efficiency standards |
| Adopted | 1978 (original energy standards) |
| Latest update | 2022 (notable cycle) |
Title 24, Part 6
Title 24, Part 6 is the California building energy efficiency standard that prescribes mandatory performance and prescriptive requirements for residential and nonresidential structures in California. It interfaces with statewide programs and agencies such as the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, and local permitting authorities, and it complements federal and state statutes like the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and SB 100 (2018). The regulation shapes construction, renovation, and compliance practices across cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
Overview and Scope
Part 6 establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for new construction, additions, and alterations affecting building envelope, mechanical systems, lighting, and service water heating across single-family homes in San Diego and high-rise residential towers in San Jose as well as commercial buildings in Oakland and Long Beach. It applies to projects subject to permits issued by municipal authorities like the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety and regional bodies such as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The scope intersects with programs administered by entities such as the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and utilities including Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Energy Efficiency Standards and Requirements
The standards prescribe building envelope requirements reflecting research from institutions like the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and technologies promoted by manufacturers represented in trade associations such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society. Requirements cover thermal insulation, fenestration, HVAC minimum efficiencies, lighting power densities, and photovoltaic readiness, referencing metrics and test methods used by organizations including Underwriters Laboratories, ASTM International, and the International Code Council. The standards also align with statewide goals in legislation involving the California Energy Commission and initiatives from the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Compliance, Enforcement, and Certification
Compliance is demonstrated through documentation, modeling, and field verification using forms and tools overseen by the California Energy Commission and subject to inspection by local building departments such as the City and County of San Francisco Department of Building Inspection. Registered professionals—architects licensed by the California Architects Board, engineers licensed by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, and contractors registered with the California Contractors State License Board—produce compliance reports. Enforcement mechanisms involve plan checks, on-site testing, and penalties coordinated with agencies like the State Auditor and administrative processes influenced by court decisions from courts such as the California Supreme Court.
Technical Standards and Compliance Options
The regulation offers prescriptive and performance compliance paths, using simulation tools and reference designs consistent with protocols from the U.S. Green Building Council, the International Energy Agency, and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Approved calculation engines and compliance software may draw on datasets and methods from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and testing standards from ASTM International and Underwriters Laboratories. Alternative compliance credits and trade-offs reference programs such as Title 24, Part 11 programs (CalGreen) and incentive offerings from utilities including Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Adoption History and Updates
Part 6 evolved from initial energy standards enacted in the late 1970s and has undergone periodic triennial updates driven by research from institutions such as Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and regulatory decisions by the California Energy Commission. Major cycles have incorporated advancing technologies and policy directives from governors and legislatures tied to initiatives like Executive Order B-55-18 and landmark laws such as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Stakeholder processes include public workshops attended by representatives from AIA chapters, industry groups like the American Institute of Architects, environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, and labor organizations including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Impact on Buildings and Industry Practices
The standards have driven widespread adoption of high-efficiency HVAC systems sold by manufacturers like Carrier Global Corporation and Trane Technologies, increased installation of rooftop photovoltaics by firms operating in Los Angeles and Fresno, and shifts in architectural practice among firms in San Francisco and Irvine. Compliance has influenced training curricula at community colleges and universities such as California State University, Sacramento and University of California, Davis, and spurred market responses from utilities including Pacific Gas and Electric Company through incentive programs and demand response pilots with vendors like Schneider Electric and Siemens. Outcomes tie into statewide climate and energy goals championed by policymakers linked to the California Energy Commission and advocacy groups including Natural Resources Defense Council.