Building Energy Efficiency Standards. FAQ

What are building energy efficiency Standards?
Building energy efficiency standards are designed to ensure new and existing buildings achieve energy efficiency and preserve outdoor and indoor environmental quality. These measures (Title 24, Part 6) are listed in the California Code of Regulations.
Why are building Standards important?
Energy efficiency Standards make buildings more comfortable, lower energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Standards ensure that builders use the most energy efficient technologies and construction.
When did building Standards start?
California’s first building energy efficiency Standards went into effect in 1978.
How much will these new Standards add to the cost of a new house?
On average, these Standards add an additional $2,290 to the cost of constructing a new residential building, but will return $6,200 in energy savings over 30 years. In other words, when factored into a 30-year mortgage, the Standards will add approximately $11 per month for the average home, but will save $27 on monthly heating, cooling, and lighting bills.
How much energy will the 2013 Standards save?
The 2013 Standards will use 25% less energy for lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and water heating than the 2008 Standards. Additionally, the Standards will save 200 million gallons of water per year (equal to more than 6.5 million wash loads) and avoid 170,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
How much have Standards saved?
Since 1978, the California Energy Commission has saved Californians $66 billion in electricity and natural gas savings through energy efficient building and appliance standards.
What are the long term savings?
After 30 years of implementing the standards, California will save nearly 14,000 GWh or enough electricity to power 1.67 million homes.
What policy goals are addressed by the Standards?
Several state energy policy goals drive the design of the current standards: the “Loading Order,” which directs California’s growing demand must first be met with cost-effective energy efficiency; “Zero Net Energy” (ZNE) goals for new homes by 2020 and commercial buildings by 2030; Governor Brown’s Executive Order on Green Buildings; the Green Building Standards Code, and AB 32, which mandates that California reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.