Updated Regulatory Advisory: Low-Rise Multifamily Compliance Documents for the 2022 Energy Code 

The 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) introduce new requirements for low-rise multifamily (LRMF) buildings. These include requirements to register LRMF compliance documents with a California Energy Commission (CEC)-approved residential data registry when field verification and diagnostic testing (FV&DT) will be required to demonstrate compliance with the Energy Code.

On February 14, 2024, CalCERTS was approved to register all LRMF compliance documents listed in Appendix A of the 2022 Energy Code Data Registry Requirements Manual. For projects that include energy efficiency measures requiring FV&DT (i.e., HERS field verification), permit applications submitted after February 14, 2024, must include only certificates of compliance (LMCCs) that have been registered with a CEC-approved registry, per Title 24, section 10-103(a)1B. The downloadable, fillable versions of the LMCCs are no longer available and should not be accepted with permit applications submitted after February 14, 2024.

A new regulatory advisory has been issued to clarify enforcement guidance given previously. The November 18, 2022, advisory is no longer in effect. CEC staff recommends authorities having jurisdiction take various steps, as specified in the February 15, 2024, advisory, to ensure permits for LRMF buildings under the 2022 Energy Code are not delayed and that new projects are properly registered with an approved residential registry.

Reference Appendices
2022 Energy Code: Reference Appendices are adopted along with the Energy Code and contain data and other information that helps builders comply with the standards. The Reference Appendices includes sections on weather data, performance of assemblies with insulation, and residential and nonresidential tests and procedures.

Compliance Manuals
These documents, a part of the energy conservation manual, are designed to help the building industry comply with and regulators enforce the 2022 Energy Code for residential, nonresidential, and multifamily buildings. They are written as a reference and an instructional guide and can be helpful for anyone that is directly or indirectly involved in design and construction.

Compliance Documents - Forms

Impact Analysis

Compliance Software
CEC approved software to demonstrate performance compliance with residential and nonresidential provisions of the 2022 Energy Code. Performance modeling allows a user to assess building system performance or different building components against the Energy Code baseline.

Alternative Calculation Method (ACM) Manuals
These manuals identify the modeling rules used within the compliance software.

Data Registry Requirements Manual
This manual is intended to aid in designing and implementing software procedures and user interface features. As a resource for data registry providers, it includes information and explanations regarding the functional and technical aspects of the requirements given in Reference Joint Appendix JA7.

Tools

  • Solar Assessment Tools
    Builders must verify and document the shading conditions of a building’s installed solar photovoltaic (PV) system by using the CEC-approved solar assessment tool.
     
  • Climate Zone Tool
    This tool helps to show addresses and locations quickly and accurately in relation to the geographic metes and bounds that determine California’s climate regions. Search by climate zone or zip code.
     
  • Special Cases for Building Energy Efficiency Standards
    Information about calculation methods and measures that cannot be properly accounted for in the approved compliance approaches.
     
  • Manufacturer Certification for Building Equipment
    Manufacturers certify to the CEC that the building equipment, products, and devices listed meet the applicable Energy Code requirements.

Supporting Content

News Release: 2022 Energy Code Adoption

Energy Commission Adopts Updated Building Standards to Improve Efficiency, Reduce Emissions From Homes and Businesses

2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards Summary

A summary describing what was adopted within the 2022 Energy Code and the benefits.

Online Resource Center

Documents and training information to help building communities and enforcement agencies comply with the Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

Contact

Building Energy Efficiency Standards - Title 24
title24@energy.ca.gov
Toll-free in California: 800-772-3300
Outside California: 916-654-5106

For requests to print the 2022 Energy Code contact bsorequests@energy.ca.gov or
916-654-5200

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