CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards

California’s CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24) function harmoniously. CALGreen includes provisions to ensure the reduction of water use by 20%, improve indoor air quality, divert 50% of new construction waste from landfills, and inspect energy systems (i.e. heat furnace, air conditioner, mechanical equipment) for nonresidential buildings over 10,000 square feet. Title 24 mandates all buildings exceed standards set in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code or ASHRAE 90.1-2013 for residential or commercial buildings, respectively, as well as meeting certain CALGreen requirements. Title 24 was revised in 2018 to require all new low-rise homes install photovoltaic (PV) equipment with an annual output greater than or equal to the homes annual electrical consumption (with enumerated exceptions).