The Energy Code can help California achieve statewide carbon neutrality and this website exists to help you implement it! The Energy Code is included in Part 6 of California’s Building Standards Code which is often referred to as Title 24. Title 24, Part 6 defines building design and construction requirements for New Construction, Additions, and Alterations. Projects submitted for a building permit on or after January 1, 2023 must meet the 2022 Title 24, Part 6 requirements.
The Energy Code is generally updated every three years with the mandate to increase building energy efficiency while staying cost-effective for building owners over the lifespan of a building. Increases in energy efficiency and on-site generation can:
The California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates that over 30 years, the 2022 Energy Code can provide $1.5 billion in consumer benefits and reduce 10 million metric tons of GHG – equivalent to taking nearly 2.2 million gas cars off the road for a year. View our fact sheets here.
The Energy Code is composed of the standards themselves, compliance manuals for each building type and reference appendices. The Energy Code is organized into chapters with requirements that apply to all occupancies, then followed by chapters covering requirements specific to nonresidential, residential, and multifamily buildings. Our tool, Reference Ace, can help you easily navigate the Energy Code documents, including hyperlinked sections to easily jump to referenced sections, pop-up definitions for key terms, and keyword search capabilities. You can use Reference Ace online in your browser or download it to your desktop.
Understanding how the Energy Code applies to your project from the very beginning can help inform important decisions, bring key roles into the project at the right time, and avoid surprises down the line that could cause changes to design or construction.
Forms demonstrating compliance must be submitted with other construction documents when applying for a building permit. Additional forms are required during installation, as well as acceptance testing or verification forms that must often be completed by a third-party inspector.
If you’re unsure of where to start, our Forms Ace walks through a simple set of questions about your project and generates a list of required forms. You can also use our fact sheets for a summary of requirements and forms that apply to your project or our Building Inspector Checklists can give you an idea of what a building department is looking for.
Check out our Collections that are geared specifically for different industry roles or topics. You can also peruse our Training options. You’ll find classes on different topics and courses designed to help specific building industry professionals gain the knowledge and skills they need. Many of our courses satisfy AIA, CABEC, and ICC continuing education requirements.
