2025 Nonresidential/Multifamily Pools and Spas FAQs

The 2025 Energy Code has mandatory requirements for nonresidential and multifamily pools and spas when equipment like heating systems and circulation pumps is installed. The objective of the requirements is to encourage use of renewable energy source-based heating such as heat pump pool heating (HPPH) systems and solar thermal heating systems. 

Nonresidential requirements are in Sections 110.4(a, b, c, d) and Section 150(p). 

Multifamily requirements are in Sections 110.4(a, b, c, d), Section 150.0(p)2, (p)3, (p)4, and 160.7(b). 

Pool and spa systems used by multiple tenants or the public must meet the requirements of Section 110.4.  

Public use pool and spa systems must meet the requirements of Section 150.0(p)2, Section 150.0(p)3, and Section 150.0(p)4.  

All pool and spa requirements are mandatory and the Performance and Prescriptive methods are not available and cannot be applied. 

Additions and Alterations requirements for nonresidential pools and spas are specified in Section 141.0. 

Additions and Alterations requirements for multifamily pools and spas are specified in Section 180.0. 

Section 100.1 defines pools and spas as follows: 

Pools include any structure of product designed for swimming, bathing or wading, designed and manufactured to be connected with a circulation system either in-ground, above-ground and on-ground and wading pools. Pools are not intended to be drained and filled with each use. 

Residential pools are designed to be used as an accessory to a residential environment for use only by members of the household and guests with specification based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)/ International Code Council (ICC)-4, 2012 (R2022) or American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)/ International Code Council (ICC)-5, 2011 (R2022). 

Spa is a vessel containing heated water where humans can immerse themselves and is not a pool or a bathtub. 

Section 110.4(a) specifies manufacturer product certification requirements for heaters installed in new or existing pools or spas: 

• Heater efficiency must comply with state or federal appliance efficiency standards, see Section 110.1. 
• On-off switch located or attached to the exterior of the heating equipment, readily accessible, and allows turning off heater with no adjustment to the thermostat setting.  
• Instructions on a weatherproof plate or placard that is permanent, legible, and includes the energy efficiency rating and functional operation of the heating system.  

Section 110.4(c) specifies heater sizing for primary pool heaters in newly constructed pools and spas, and when a pool heater is being installed for the first time in an existing pool or spa. These requirements do not apply to alterations or repairs to existing pool heaters, see exceptions below. Electric resistance or gas may be used, but only as a supplemental heating source. Heating systems or units must meet the following sizing requirements:  

• A solar collector surface area equivalent to at least 65% or more of the pool and spa surface area for nonresidential and multifamily public pools and spas.  
• A heat pump pool heater sized based on Reference Joint Appendix JA16.3 with a supplementary heater, if needed, of any energy source.  
• A heating system with at least 60% of its annual heating energy from an on-site renewable energy or on-site recovered energy source.  
• A solar pool heating system and heat pump pool heater combined and no additional supplementary heater. 
• Heating equipment or system considered by the Executive Director not to use more energy than the heating systems listed above.  

Exceptions to Section 110.4(c) are:  

• Portable electric spas must comply with California Code of Regulations, Title 20 § 1605.3(g)(7) of the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.  
• Alterations to existing pools and spas with existing heating equipment.  
• Pool and/or spa heated only with a solar pool heating system and no other backup heater.  
• Heating systems used exclusively for permanent spa applications in existing buildings where gas is available.  
• Heating systems used exclusively for permanent spa applications in buildings with insufficient Solar Access Roof Area (SARA) for a solar pool heating system installation as required in Section 150.1(c)14.  

Section 110.4(b) specifies the testing requirements based on fuel type used to heat water for pools and spas in Table 110.4-A: 

Table 110.4-A HEATING EQUIPMENT STANDARDS 

Section 110.4(b) includes the following requirements. 

• On piping, there must be: 
  • A minimum of 18 inches either horizontal or vertical between the filter and the heating equipment, or  
  • Include dedicated suction and return lines, or  
  • Built-in or built-up connections for addition of solar heating systems in the future. 
  • Outdoor pools and spas with either electric or gas heating systems must have a cover to retain heat and reduce waste of heat and energy. 
• Pools must be equipped with: 
  • Directional inlets for proper pool water mixture with time switches and control mechanisms permanently installed for water circulation.  
  • All pumps must be programmable to operate during off-peak electric demand hours and to minimize pump operation while maintaining water conditions based on public health requirements. 

Section 110.4(d) specifies the control requirements for heat pump pool heaters with supplementary heaters as follows:  

• Supplemental heating must not operate when the heating load can be met by the heat pump pool heater independently. 
• The heat pump pool heater cut-on temperature is higher than the supplementary heater cut-on temperature. 
• The heat pump pool heater cut-off temperature is higher than the supplementary heater cut-off temperature.

Section 110.5 specifies that natural gas pools and spa heaters shall not have a continuously burning pilot light. 

Section 150.0(p) specifies applicable requirements in Section 110.4 for the installation of pool systems and equipment, as well as the following: 

• The piping system required before the pump equipment shall include a length of a straight pipe more than or equal to 4 times the pipe diameter.  
• The velocity of water in the pool pipe is sized at the maximum flow for auxiliary pool loads, not to exceed 8 feet/second in the return line and 6 feet/second in the suction line.  
• The piping system shall include sweep elbows or elbow-type with a pressure drop less than the length of 30 pipe diameters of a straight pipe. 
• Filter size must comply with NSF (National Sanitation Foundation)/ANSI (American National Standards Institute) 50 based on the maximum rate of pool water passing through the filter. 
• Backwash valves must be at least 2 inches or the diameter of the return pipe, whichever is larger. 

No. Section 110.4(c) specifies requirements for heating systems or equipment installed in newly constructed pool and spas and installed in an existing pool that did not previously include a heating system or equipment. These requirements do not apply to alterations or repairs to existing pool and spa heaters. 

Yes. Section 110.4(b)3 requires outdoor pools and spas that are equipped with either electric or gas heating equipment to have a cover installed to retain heat and prevent heat loss to reduce waste of energy. 

To demonstrate compliance, the installing contractor should submit the Certificate of Installation:  CEC-CF2R-PLB-03-E document.  

See the Blueprint, Nonresidential Compliance Manual, and Multifamily Compliance Manual for more information, including articles and frequently asked questions about the 2025 Energy Code.