California’s recent revisions to Title 24 contain ambitious performance goals: all residential buildings must be Zero Net Energy by 2020 and commercial buildings must reach that standard by 2030. The code also applies to certain renovation projects. These changes are likely to reshape the construction industry in significant ways nationwide by:
1. Driving adoption of building energy codes.As the AEC industry works to meet California’s challenge, it will be able to translate its achievements to other regions.
2. Speeding the development of building monitoring and management technologies.Title 24 will stimulate the market for a wide variety of smart building technologies.
3. Accelerating use of on-site energy storage. Energy storage helps address the intermittency of solar and wind energy generation. It can also make the grid more resilient to outages.
4. Reducing the cost of high performance building.California’s code ensures that there will be steady demand for high performance designs and technologies. This should help to drive down costs for new, innovative products.
5. Creating competition for architects to boost performance.Net Zero Energy goals will put pressure on architects, engineers, and contractors to measure progress as they work toward achieving high efficiency results, and then to deliver on them.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2021
Workers on some of Virginia’s major construction projects sue subcontractors for wage theft
Projects include new General Assembly Building, outpatient facility at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
EPA finalizes first major update to Lead and Copper rule
Will accelerate pace of lead service line replacement.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
Flood risk for affordable housing expected to triple by 2050
Some communities will have 90% of their affordable housing at risk.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2021
Ranks of remote workers expected to double in five years
Nearly 23% of employees will work from outside of offices.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
CSI and ASTM standards can now be connected through a central location
CROSSWALK web service accesses standards specific to projects from feasibility to turnover.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
Dept. of Energy offers Better Buildings Field Validation Results Hub
One-stop-shop for information associated with technology validations in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
2021 Defense Authorization Act includes mass timber provision
Directs defense, agriculture secretaries to review potential for wood frame construction on defense building projects.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
New York City proposal would require rainwater detention tanks for new development
Rule would apply to projects on lots sized 20,000 sf or larger.
Codes and Standards | Dec 17, 2020
Energy efficiency as a service gaining ground as financing approach for adopting innovations
Building owners can invest in new technology with no upfront cost.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2020
Resources available to address Legionella threat
Buildings reopened after extended pandemic closure are at risk.