Coming this Month: New Cost-Effectiveness Report for Existing Residential Construction

Scheduled for publication this month, the 2019 Cost-Effectiveness Study:

Existing Building Efficiency Upgrade focuses on cost-effective measures that exceed the state's 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, effective January 1, 2020, for existing single family and low-rise (one- to three-story) multifamily buildings when a remodel is submitted for permit. With the focus on existing residential construction, the report supports the long-term commitment of the state to achieving the energy efficiency targets expressed by SB350 and the ExistingBuildings Energy Efficiency Action Plan (EBEE Action Plan) adopted by the California Energy Commission in September 2015.

The analysis includes scenarios of individual measures, as well as package upgrades, and identifies cost-effective options based on the existing conditions of the building in all sixteen California Climate Zones.  Both single family and low-rise multifamily cases are considered, for three unique building vintages: pre-1978, 1978-1991, and 1992-2005.  These building vintages were evaluated to identify the relationship  between existing building performance and the cost-effectiveness of individual or package upgrades. For instance, adding attic insulation in an older home with no existing insulation is far more cost-effective than it would be in a newer home likely to have at least some existing attic insulation.  The building characteristics for each vintage were determined based on either prescriptive requirements from the Title 24 code that was in effect or standard construction practice during that time period.

Of course, each jurisdiction would  establish the appropriate threshold for triggering the requirements, perhaps based on project value or percent of floor area impacted. Alternatively, a jurisdiction could require the energy efficiency upgrades upon the sale of a home.

The statewide Reach Codes team expects to publish the report before year end. Interested jurisdictions may download it free of charge from localenergycodes.com

City of Carlsbad Becomes First California City to Adopt 2019 Energy Reach Codes

In 2015, Carlsbad adopted a comprehensive General Plan update, including an ambitious Climate Action Plan (CAP), which aims to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. Over the past few years, City officials studied a variety of experiences and options for implementation. Early in 2019, the City Environmental Management and Planning Departments proposed a package of ordinances to fulfill the promise of the City’s CAP.

Each of the approved ordinances focuses on a specific aspect identified in the City’s CAP, relatedto energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative water heating and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Energy Efficiency Provisions

Residential efficiency provisions apply to renovations of existing single-family and multi-family residential buildings with permit valuations of $60,000 or more. Nonresidential efficiency provisions apply to all new construction and major renovations adding more than 1,000 ft² of floor area or with a building permit valuation of $200,000 or more.

Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Provisions

This provision mandates inclusion of cost-effective PV systems in all new nonresidential construction and major renovations with building permit valuations of $1,000,000 or more that affect 75 percent or more of the existing floor area.

Water Heating Provisions

This provision requires the inclusion of cost-effective energy-efficient electric water heaters and/or solar thermal water heating systems in all new residential and nonresidential construction.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Ordinance

This ordinance requires the inclusion of EV charging infrastructure in residential and nonresidential new construction and major renovations. It also applies to major residential renovations that meet specific criteria.

Read the complete Frontrunner on localenergycodes.com.