The State Energy Commission recently adopted new Building Energy Efficiency Standards, commonly known as "Title 24", which will take effect on January 1st, 2010. If you apply for a building permit on or after that date, your project will be required to meet these new 2008 Standards. From what I have seen so far, these new Standards will raise the bar significantly on energy efficiency requirements for all buildings, incorporating the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). What are you doing to prepare for these new Standards? Are you planning to beat the January 1st deadline with your building permit applications?
You know, James, the 2008 is pretty confusing. Right off the bat we have a 2008 code that will be unveiled in 2010. Meeting ASHRAE 62.2 was a tricky exercise at the CABEC training I went through. Builders and specialty contractors will need to know the code and the state is sending a wave of money to help in that effort. But even though the code is stringent, we have a lot of cheating out there with the 2005 code...a lot.
What am I doing to preapre for the new standards? As a HERS rater I'm saving my money up for an air flow hood, a decent set of refrigerant charge gauges, and additional training.
I am shopping for an architect to help design a Zero Energy home. So far I have only spoken to Arkin-Tilt in Berkeley and Polly Osborne in LAX. Are there any 'green' architects in the central valley? I am extremely interested in the German Passiv Haus Institute and the American Passive House chapters. Once again, the center of mass seems to be the Bay Area. Anybody more local out there interested?