Reach Codes Corner: Evaluating All-Electric and Electric-Preferred Options
This column is a monthly feature focusing on specific topics of interest to newcomers to the reach code development community.
This month we look at two of the most popular reach code options for jurisdictions in the upcoming 2022 code cycle.
All-Electric Provisions
This option focuses on eliminating fuel sources other than electricity for new construction. Typically, these policies mandate no new gas appliances or gas space or water heating in new construction. If the approach is tied to the 2022 Building Code (Part 11, CALGreen), these types of policies must be renewed every code cycle. The jurisdiction must satisfy local requirements and file the adopted measure with the BSC, which will review and determine if it is acceptable for filing with the Secretary of State. Once this occurs, the measure is enforceable at the local level. If the latter, the jurisdiction must satisfy local requirements and the measure will be immediately enforceable.
The jurisdiction may also pursue an all-electric measure under its health and safety powers. If this approach is taken, the jurisdiction must satisfy local requirements but once adopted, the measure is immediately enforceable and does not expire. Communities pursuing this approach during the 2019 code cycle have included Berkeley, Morgan Hill, Petaluma, San Jose, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.
Electric-Preferred Provisions
This approach is the most conservative option and amends the 2022 Energy Code. Requirements typically will include a provision that all-electric buildings satisfy code requirements, while mixed-fuel buildings must exceed code requirements by specified margins. Considerations to keep in mind are that this approach is usually the most conservative in terms of greenhouse gas reductions, so would advance a jurisdiction’s climate action goals the least as well. In addition, the 2022 Standards include heat pumps as a performance standard baseline for water or space heating in single-family homes, and space heating in multi-family homes, as well as certain commercial buildings. This means if a design uses natural gas equipment instead of a heat pump, the design must add other measures to improve performance in other building systems to make up for the compliance deficit.
More information on this and many other reach code topics are available on the Reach Codes Newcomers webinar series videos. Visit the Local Energy Codes YouTube channel.
