The foundation of efficiency is in the appliance standards. These assure a minimum efficiency of
manufactured devices such as air conditioners, heating equipment, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers,
fluorescent lamp ballasts, air leakage around windows, and pool heaters.
In addition to this, the building standards set minimum mandatory requirements for things such as the amount of insulation and setback thermostats. Once these are met, the building must also be shown to use less than a predetermined amount of energy on a per square foot basis when summed for the whole year. This is what most people think of when referring to the Title 24 energy standards.
There is a lot of room for improvement over what Title 24 requires as a minimum! The utilities each have a myriad of incentive programs designed to promote this extra level of efficiency. For residential buildings, the emphasis is on more efficient air conditioners and better quality glazing. For commercial buildings, lighting efficiency takes the lion’s share of efficiency incentive.
Not all dual glazed windows have the same energy performance. A standard dual metal window made five years ago would lose nine times as much energy as the wall, but if it were built to today’s recommended values it would lose only eight times as much. A wood or vinyl frame window would vary, losing only between five and seven times as much as the wall. It is easy to see why a little glazing adds up to a lot of energy use!
The U-value of the window, which rates how much energy it loses, became a very important number as of July 1, 1993. U-value labels are now supposed to be affixed to the glazing installed in the field. These U-values must be less than or equal to the U-values listed in the calcs on the CF-1R. We try to allow flexibility when doing the compliance, but you may choose to have us achieve compliance by using a particular manufacturer with low U-values. If you have a project which switches to a different window manufacturer than what the calcs are based on, make sure the U-values are equal!
The SDG&E incentive program will pay you cash incentives if you choose to upgrade the windows above the minimum Title 24 requirements. Better windows are not only more efficient, but also increase indoor comfort.
If an alteration to a residence is so minor that you do not need to get a building permit, then the windows may be single glazed. Usually, additions and alterations will be dual glazed.
Commercial buildings also have glazing U-value requirements, but these do not have nearly the impact as for residential buildings. Single glazing is still normal in southern California climate zones.
Fortunately, the answer is no. The Title 24 energy code does satisfy the new federal requirements for single family dwellings, according to a decision recently made by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
What was happening? The federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 covers a wide range of issues. It includes, among many other things, equipment standards, integrated resource planning for utilities, grants and audits for heavy industry, administration and training to implement the various features of the Act, and it promotes the use of alternative fueled vehicles and the development and export of renewable technologies. It also includes building efficiency standards.
These building efficiency standards require that, as of October 1993, residential buildings which receive HUD financing must meet the Model Energy Code. This code is similar in format to what California had for commercial buildings in 1978.
All low-rise residential buildings will soon be affected. By October of 1994, all states will be required to adopt the Model Energy Code or its equivalent. Commercial buildings will have to meet a standard which has been developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
In addition to having a commercial code, ASHRAE is on a very fast track to finish developing a residential code. The Model Energy Code was written only to provide a guideline, and it does not cover all situations. ASHRAE’s intent is to create an equivalent, enforceable code which could be directly adopted by individual states. This would reduce duplication and increase consistency across the nation. At least in the short run, however, California will keep its own code.
Efficiency: Gas FAU: 78%, A/C SEER: 10.0
Water Heater Energy Factor: 0.53
Glazing: Single glazing is still an option. Dual glazing is not required by code.
Metal framed windows are still an option.
Wood and Vinyl framed windows are not required by code.
| 508 W Mission Ave, Ste. 201 Escondido, CA 92025 |
2171 India Street, Ste. A San Diego, CA 92101 |
2522 Chambers Rd., Ste. 110 Tustin, CA 92780 |
| (760) 743-5408 FAX 480-6246 |
(619) 531-1122 FAX 237-8879 |
(714) 573-4065 FAX 573-4064 |