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Title 24: Impact Extends Beyond California

9/26/2014

On July 1, 2014, recent updates to the 2013 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards — Title 24 — went into effect.



The new, tougher standards are estimated to increase energy efficiency by 30% in non-residential buildings compared with the 2008 version. The increase will help California achieve its ambitious goal: Under Title 24, all new commercial buildings must be net-zero energy by 2030.



Among other requirements, the new standards include stipulations that manual lighting controls be accessible on a room-by-room basis, and occupancy sensors be used in corridors, stairwells and aisles/ open areas in warehouses.



In addition, automated demand response lighting systems are required in buildings 10,000 sq. ft. and larger, and daylight harvesting is required in primary and secondary side-list areas.



Since many other states look toward California’s environmental standards as models for their own, it’s likely that these standards will spread.



Sefaira, a software company offering cloud-based computing for high-performance building design, detailed on its corporate blog how Title 24 revisions will impact building construction nationwide. According to Sefaira, the changes will:



Drive adoption of building energy codes: Currently, all but seven U.S. states have commercial building energy codes in place, and many are continually updating to the most recent (and increasingly stringent) standards. The codes are also becoming increasingly performance-based.



As the construction industry rises to California’s challenge, it will also be building the capacity to achieve similar results elsewhere. Expect the adoption of performance-based energy codes to accelerate throughout the nation.



Speed the development of building monitoring and management technologies: Title 24 revisions focus on delivering measurable whole building energy reductions, which will create a large market for an array of “smart building” technologies required to measure and manage energy use across different building types.



The changes will speed the development of technologies around management of peak energy loads, plug load controls, advanced lighting controls and demand response technology.



Accelerate on-site energy storage: California is aware that a steep increase in renewable energy must come with an investment in a smart electricity grid — and energy storage is a key part of the equation. Watch for building-level storage technologies to become more numerous, more efficient and cheaper.



Reduce the cost of high-performance building: California’s code provides certainty around the market for high-performance buildings and related technologies. This will drive increased investments in these technologies, which in turn will drive down costs. An emphasis on real energy savings will also improve financing options for buildings that can deliver a clear return.



Also, Title 24 will spread Zero Net Energy know-how throughout the construction industry, a critical step toward reducing costs and mainstreaming high-performance design.

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