Title 24 compliance now heavily influences policy around the world
Since the 1970s, California has led the way in building and energy efficiency policies. Complying with Title 24 is not only good for California, it brings new services, technology and products to market that everyone benefits from. The power of meeting Title 24 is further amplified because California is the world’s fifth largest economy (recently moved to the UK)
During the 1970s, concerns about ecology and energy conservation were mostly ignored or a heated political issue. This was long before ‘green’ was a general concept. But even then, California was a true leader concerned about the state’s skyrocketing power consumption and the unlikely ability of energy infrastructure to meet demand.
The effect of California Title 24
The California Building Standards Commission created Title 24 in 1978. Over the years, it has been updated with increasingly robust environmental requirements, mandates, and executive orders. Although it was slow in the early years, Title 24 compliance now heavily influences policy around the world. As a result, the design and manufacture of energy efficient products are available in almost every part of the US and around the world. In addition to being ‘environmentally friendly’, California is an economy of scale.
As the fifth largest economy in the world, California’s requirements cannot be ignored. Building designers and product manufacturers wishing to do business in California must be trained to comply with Title 24. Once a product is manufactured to California specifications, it does not make financial sense for manufacturers to manufacture a version of the products for California and a different version for other states and countries. Especially when others constantly look to California for leadership in green evolution. Once a regulation is introduced in California, the probability that the same standards will be replicated and introduced in more states in a few years or less is very high. Title 24 compliant designs and products cost no more. They have become the standard for design and manufacture.
Importantly, Title 24 is not an optional certification. Unlike the recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, Title 24 is part of the state building code; compliance is not an option. And the reality is that Title 24 works.
The financial benefits of complying with Title 24
The new Title 24, Part 6 standards officially went into effect on January 1, 2020. However, building designers, builders, solar companies, and other stakeholders were preparing for these changes long before they became mandatory. In California, it is a routine part of business.
The most recent changes to Title 24 increase energy efficiency, save consumers money and improve air quality both indoors and outdoors. The upgrade requires home builders to install solar photovoltaic systems in all new homes. This makes California the first state in the US to have a solar mandate. The changes also have new efficiency standards for insulation in attics, walls and windows to save additional energy. Although not required, regulations encourage battery storage and heat pump water heaters. Both reduce energy use during peak hours.
To quantify the costs, the California Energy Commission (CEC) ordered an independent study of overall cost savings for homeowners over the course of a 30-year mortgage. The consultant study (from Energy and Environmental Economics or E3) found that the revised Title 24 requirements would result in net savings for homeowners. However, there is also an increase in new home construction costs averaging $ 9,500 (in 2018 dollars). But homeowners’ savings will be much greater than $ 19,000 over a 30-year mortgage. This continues to be an immediate financial benefit for homeowners because mortgage costs are projected to increase by $ 40 per month, while offsetting savings are double that of $ 80 per month on heat and electricity.
Beyond the short-term financial savings, compliance with Title 24 will significantly improve air quality. The independent study estimates that more than 74,000 homes will be built in 2020 meeting solar and new energy requirements. Of course, many more houses to these specifications will also be built in the future. In the first year alone, energy savings are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 114,019 tons. That’s the equivalent of 5.7 million trees to remove the same amount of CO2 from the air.
So all of this reinforces why California Title 24 remains the “gold standard” for building codes, energy efficiency, performance requirements, sustainable energy designs, and much more.
