The 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) has electric ready requirements for all newly constructed single-family buildings when certain natural gas or propane appliances are installed.
In addition to electric ready requirements, the 2022 Energy Code now requires that all single-family buildings with one or two dwelling units must be energy storage (battery storage) system ready.
These requirements are mandatory but do not apply to:
- Additions
- Alterations
- New buildings with all electric appliances installed
The goal of these requirements is to make it more feasible and cost-effective to transition to heat pump and high-efficiency electric appliances in place of gas appliances in the future.
Electric ready requirements apply when gas or propane appliances are installed for a space or water heating, cooking or clothes drying. Sections 150.0 (t,u,v) of the 2022 Energy Code specifies electric ready requirements for:
- Heat pump space heater ready:
- A dedicated 240V branch circuit wiring with a minimum of 30-amp branch circuit conductor installed within 3 feet from the furnace and the blank cover labeled “240V Ready”
- A reserved space in the main panel for double pole circuit breaker for a future heat pump space heater installation and labeled “For Future 240V Use”
- Electric cooktop ready:
- A dedicated 240V branch circuit with a minimum 50-amps branch circuit conductor installed within 3 feet from the cooktop and the blank cover labeled “240V Ready”
- A reserved space in the main panel for double pole circuit breaker for a future electric cooktop installation and labeled “For Future 240V Use”
- Electric clothes dryer ready:
- A dedicated 240V branch circuit wiring with a minimum 30-amp branch circuit conductor installed within 3 feet from the clothes dryer location and “240V Ready”
- A reserved space in the main panel for a double pole circuit breaker for a future electric clothes dryer installation and labeled “For Future 240V Use”
The electric ready requirements for heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in Section 150.0(n) apply to systems using gas or propane water heaters that serve individual units. A designated space at least 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet wide and 7 feet tall must be provided for the future installation of a HPWH and must meet these requirements:
- A designated space within 3 feet from the water heater (See Figure 1) must include:
- A dedicated 125V, 20-amp receptacle connected to the electric panel with a 120V/240V 3-conductor, 10 AWG copper branch circuit and accessible with no obstructions
- Both ends of the unused conductor shall be labeled with the word “Spare” and be electrically isolated
- A reserved space for a single pole circuit breaker in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the 125V, 20-amp electrical receptacle and labeled “For Future 240V Use”
- A condensate drain ≤ 2 inches above the base of the installed water heater to allow for natural drainage
- A designated space more than 3 feet from the water heater must include:
- A dedicated 240V branch circuit with a minimum 30-amp installed and the blank cover labeled “240V Ready”
- A reserved space for the main electrical panel to allow installation of double pole circuit breaker for a future heat pump water heater (HPWH) and labeled “For Future 240V Use”
- A dedicated cold-water supply or the cold-water supply shall pass through the dedicated HPWH location just before reaching the gas or propane tank
- The hot water supply pipe coming out of the gas or propane water heater shall be routed first through the designated HPWH location before serving any fixtures
- The hot and cold-water piping at the designated HPWH location shall be exposed and readily accessible for future installation of an HPWH
- A condensate drain ≤ 2 inches above the base of the installed water heater to allow for natural drainage
See the Blueprint for more information, including articles and frequently asked electric ready questions, about the 2022 Energy Code.