Title 24 compliance can be difficult unless you are a qualified professional mechanical, plumbing or electrical engineer. However, there are a couple of ways to break this down into simpler terms that will help you make everyday decisions that are in your best interest.
Let’s take the roof as an example.
roofing compliance
Even within this category, you still have two important subcategories: cool roof and the new mandated sunroof. A cool roof is built with materials that reflect a higher than normal amount of the sun’s rays away from the structure (infrared, visible, and ultraviolet). The new solar roof mandate takes effect in 2020 by requiring all new homes under three stories to install solar panels.
cool rooftops They have benefits beyond Title 24 compliance, which is primarily about reducing emissions from power plants. A direct benefit to you as the owner is increased roof life due to limited exposure to high temperatures. Another personal benefit is the lower chance of power outages due to lower power demand.
The key to a cool roof is the right exterior surface and color. Just like a person wearing light-colored clothing on a sunny day, a white roof reflects most of the sunlight. However, there are a variety of qualified colors available. Another major Title 24 compliance concern is that these roofs are durable enough to maintain a certain level of solar reflectivity after three years.
sunroofs they are innovators when it comes to advancing clean energy. As a result of energy storage and efficiency, solar power is expected to reduce energy use in new homes by more than 50%. Even that savings assumes that the house still uses some natural gas for heating, cooking and other needs. Something that is not yet in the cost calculation in savings is buying an electric vehicle powered by its own solar roof.
Title 24 Compliance – Performance or Prescriptive?
There are two basic paths: performance and prescriptive. This applies to mechanical and structural systems, as well as lighting and plumbing. You need to assess which way to go before starting a project or new construction. Choosing one or the other can mean significant savings in project costs. A good power modeler and design team provides the right information for each option.
The prescriptive path meets specific design and material selection requirements. Every aspect of the building is assessed for compliance. This is easier to design, but can result in higher construction costs and you may not get the best overall energy reduction. The prescriptive method does not allow credit from a system that exceeds the minimum requirements to be transferred to a different, less efficient system. For example, a highly efficient HVAC system cannot transfer credits to allow for lower cost windows. The minimum requirements must be met for each individual system.
The performance path uses computer software to assess the energy consumption of the entire building. This may be the best option to reduce project costs and further reduce energy use. For example, installing high-efficiency HVAC and LED lighting can allow for lower cost windows if overall building energy is achieved.