Appliances That Meet San Francisco Bay Area Local Energy and Title 24 Requirements
A Look at Title 24 Compliant Water Heaters and Furnace Systems
California has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the United States. Since the creation of Title 24 / Part 1 in 1978 by the California Building Standards Commission, California has worked hard to improve energy usage and efficiency in the decades that followed.
Title 24 has evolved over the years, the most recent update being Title 24 / Part 6. The most recent changes became effective on January 21st, 2017. Title 24 / Part 6 is written and designed to improve energy efficiency, which offers homeowners some great benefits, including:
Lower Energy Costs
Reliable Delivery of Service
Increased Comfort
Improved Interior Environment
In this post, we're going to take a look at Title 24 and how to choose a water heater and furnace that will comply with all local requirements for all-electric construction and meet current Title 24 requirements.
Title 24 Explained
Title 24 / Part 6 California Building Standards Code is a broad set of regulations and requirements for energy conservation, green design, construction and maintenance, fire and line safety, and accessibility that apply to the structural, mechanical, and plumbing systems in residential and commercial buildings.
The code strives to ensure that building construction, system design, and installation achieve higher energy efficiency and preserve environmental quality. Its goal is to create minimum energy efficiency levels for new residential and non-residential buildings.
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The current Title 24 / Part 6 mandates a move toward all-electric construction and zero-carbon building policies. The all-electric design brings with it benefits not only for the environment but also for homeowners. These include lower carbon emissions, improved public safety, improved indoor health, higher efficiency, and the lower utility bills when paired with PV panels and a simplified building process. However, moving towards all electric appliances and compliance with new Title 24 requirements means shifting away from previous ideas of “efficiency” in appliances and construction.
Choosing a Title 24 Compliant Water Heater
Thanks to modern manufacturing, today, efficient electric alternatives are Title 24 compliant. However, they may not meet local efficiency requirements if the city has more strict standards. The most common options for homeowners are individual tank water heaters which use pumps and on-demand water heaters. While on-demand water heaters have become popular in recent years, heat pump water heaters deliver hot water at the highest efficiency and typically come with electric resistance back up for peak loads.
Typical electric water heaters that use electric resistance are extremely inefficient. Some have a 4000 BTU compressor on top of the unit; others use a higher BTU (12 – 36,000) separate compressor outside the unit.
Here at Om Design, we typically specify the Rheem Performance Hybrid unit for our clients. It's the best option for meeting local green building and efficiency codes in Santa Cruz and greater Bay Area.
Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters typically use a lower voltage and are best used in buildings with some space limitations or where there are no additional local green building codes requiring efficiency above and beyond Title 24. While electric resistance uses 2 to 4 times more energy than a heat pump, if you choose the right size for the right need, they are a good choice.
Choosing A Title 24 Compliant HVAC System
For maximum efficiency, we recommend working with a mini-split system. Mini-split systems consist of a compressor installed outside of your home and a fan inside. Mini-split systems can have multiple fans inside the home; this is commonly referred to as a multi-split system where a single outside compressor serves multiple fans or zones.
Having multiple zones in your home allows you more control over your home's climate. Zones can be at different temperatures, set to heat or cool for specific times; for example, turn up the heat in the living room when you go to bed, and turn down the bedroom's heat.
Multi or mini-split systems can be retrofitted and are ductless (refrigerant lines can move heating and cooling around the building), or they can have mini-ducts that move air is moved throughout your home.
Having a ductless system means no energy losses due to duct leakage; however, having multiple refrigerant lines running through the walls can cause problems if they begin to leak. As a general rule, mini-split systems are much more efficient than typical HVAC systems. No ducting also means reduced fan loads.
Many manufacturers offer mini / multi-split units, including Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, and LG. Here at Om-Design, we recommend the Mr. Cool family of systems as its readily available at local building supply stores. Their 12,000 BTU ductless heat pump system has a very high cooling efficiency rating and offers reliable, low-cost heating during colder months. System costs vary depending on the manufacturer and the number of BTUs and zones.
Renewable Energy Future
Extreme weather events are increasing, and climate change is real. California leads the way in terms of progressive building codes and updated Title 24 to mandate the elimination of fossil fuels in new homes. In 2020 California required every new build to include a solar array covering approximately 60% of the home's predicted energy use.
Many cities and nations have identified smart building electrification, paired with renewable energy, as the primary solution to 28% of carbon emissions from building operations. There are many benefits of building all-electric homes, including increasing your home’s value and reducing its carbon footprint.
At Om Design, we are current with all of the latest appliances and technologies that meet California's mandate for all-electric construction, including water heaters and mini and multi-split heating and cooling systems. We can help you design your home to increase efficiency and meet all local and state building codes, including Title 24 / Part 6.
If you have questions about electric appliances, Title 24, or are considering a remodeling project, give the experts at Om Design a call at (831) 607-8772. We're always happy to discuss your project, answer your questions, and explain all of your options!