About 90% of California’s furnaces and water heaters currently run on natural gas or propane, and these are significant sources of carbon emissions.
Most of these systems will have to be converted to high-efficiency heat pumps and solar thermal heating for the state to meet its ambitious decarbonized buildings goal. These technologies will have to be supported with more energy efficiency measures and batteries to store solar energy.
Renewable electricity won’t be enough to meet 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals. Twenty-five percent of total emissions in California are from homes and buildings.
Two new programs aimed at reducing emissions from buildings will launch this year: Building Initiative for Low Emissions Development (BUILD), and Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH). The programs will test different approaches to decarbonizing buildings. The programs will receive $200 million over four years from natural gas utility carbon allowance proceeds derived from the state’s cap and trade program.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
Senate bill would prohibit tax money for sports stadium projects
Bipartisan legislation would prevent use of municipal bonds by pro teams.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Developer, architect hit with $10 million construction defect verdict
Case pertained to construction of condo development that was not fire code-compliant.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Green building advocates erect icehouses on Penn. state capitol steps to make point on codes
State’s codes have not been updated since 2009.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2017
Cornell Tech unveils plans to reach Net Zero at The Bloomberg Center
Campus plans include photovoltaic arrays and geothermal ground source heat pumps.
Codes and Standards | Jun 13, 2017
Canada Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. announce partnership
New joint venture will deliver enhanced services and support tools and programs throughout Canada.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2017
Nail-Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guide released
New document focuses on design and construction considerations for horizontal NLT applications.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2017
Car sharing popularity means parking zoning and codes may be promoting overbuilding of garages
Some designers look to modular designs in anticipation of alternate uses.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2017
IAPMO advances toward new 2017 Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard
Revised pipe-sizing method for residential applications will be included.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2017
New Colorado law could stimulate stalled condo market
Construction defect law modifications could ease litigation risk and cut insurance rates.
Codes and Standards | Jun 6, 2017
New York City will require construction superintendents on buildings higher than three stories
New laws focus on construction safety.
