Compliance with Title 24 can be tricky unless you are a qualified mechanical, plumbing, or electrical engineer. However, there are a couple of ways to break this down into simpler terms that will help you make daily decisions in your best interest.
Let’s take Roofing as an example.
Ceiling compliance
Even within this category, you still have two important sub-categories: cold roof and the new sunroof mandate. A cool roof is built with materials that reflect a higher than normal amount of sunlight away from the structure (infrared, visible and ultraviolet). The new sunroof mandate goes into effect in 2020 by requiring all new homes under three stories to install solar panels.
Cold ceilings they have benefits beyond compliance with title 24, which is primarily about reducing emissions from power plants. A direct benefit to you, as the homeowner, is longer roof life due to limited exposure to high temperatures. Another personal benefit is the lower likelihood of power outages due to lower power demand.
The key to a cool roof is the correct exterior surface and color. Similar to a person wearing light-colored clothing on a sunny day, a white ceiling reflects most of the sunlight. However, there are a variety of qualified colors available. Another major concern about Title 24 compliance is that these roofs are durable enough to maintain a certain level of solar reflectivity after three years.
Solar roofs they are innovative when it comes to advancing clean energy. As a result of energy storage and efficiency, solar energy is expected to reduce energy use in new homes by more than 50%. Even those savings mean the home still uses some natural gas for heating, cooking, and other needs. Something that is not yet in the cost savings calculation is the purchase of an electric vehicle powered by your own sunroof.
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 energy modeler and design team provide the right information for each option.
The prescriptive path meets specific requirements for design and material selection. Compliance with each aspect of the building is evaluated. 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 the credit of a system that exceeds the minimum requirements to transfer it to a different and 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 evaluate 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 full building energy is achieved.
