The California Energy Commission (CEC) updates the Energy Code every three years. On August 11, 2021, the CEC adopted the 2022 Energy Code. In December, it was approved by the California Building Standards Commission for inclusion into the California Building Standards Code. The 2022 Energy Code encourages efficient electric heat pumps, establishes electric-ready requirements for new homes, expands solar photovoltaic and battery storage standards, strengthens ventilation standards, and more. Buildings whose permit applications are applied for on or after January 1, 2023, must comply with the 2022 Energy Code.
Regulatory Advisory: Low-Rise Multifamily Compliance Forms for the 2022 Energy Code
The 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code), which goes into effect January 1, 2023, introduced new requirements for low-rise multifamily (LRMF) buildings and includes the registration of new LRMF compliance documentation.
The two companies certified as residential data registries are creating systems to process and register the new required LRMF compliance documents. Development is ongoing but will not be ready when the 2022 Energy Code goes into effect. As a result, for LRMF buildings only, there will be no approved data registry capable of registering compliance documentation for this building type until a later date.
The California Energy Commission staff recommends local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) take several steps to ensure that permitting for LRMF buildings under the 2022 Energy Code is not delayed. Read the full Regulatory Advisory issued November 18, 2022, published in the 2022 Energy Code Compliance Manuals and Forms docket (21-BSTD-04). Check back here or in the docket for possible updates or more information.
2022 Energy Code for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings
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.
- 2022 Single-Family Residential Compliance Manual
- 2022 Nonresidential and Multifamily Compliance Manual
- Nonresidential Certificates of Acceptance (NRCA)
Used to demonstrate compliance with acceptance testing requirements in the Energy Code. These documents must be completed by a field technician or Certified Acceptance Test Technician (ATT) and submitted to the inspector. - Nonresidential Certificates of Verification (NRCV)
Used to demonstrate compliance with Home Energy Rating System (HERS) verification requirements in the Energy Code. These documents must be completed by a HERS Rater and registered with a HERS Provider’s registry prior to submitting them to the inspector.
- Low-rise Multifamily Certificate of Compliance (LMCC)
Used to demonstrate the construction documents are compliant with the Energy Code at the time of permit application.
- Low-rise Multifamily Certificate of Installation (LMCI, LMCI-HERS)
Used to demonstrate installations are compliant with the Energy Code at the time of construction and should be submitted by the installer to the inspector. - Low-rise Multifamily Certificate of Verification (LMCV)
Used to demonstrate compliance with Home Energy Rating System (HERS) verification requirements in the Energy Code. These documents must be completed by a HERS Rater and registered with a HERS Provider’s registry prior to submitting them to the inspector.
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.
- 2022 ACM Approval Manual
- 2022 Single-Family Residential ACM Reference Manual
- 2022 Nonresidential and Multifamily ACM Reference Manual
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.
- Acceptance Test Technician Certification Provider Program - ATTCP
The program ensures that lighting control and mechanical contractors comply with the Energy Code in nonresidential buildings. - Home Energy Rating System Program - HERS
The program addresses construction defects and poor equipment installation, including HVAC systems and insulation, by evaluating homes.
Final Rulemaking Documents for the 2022 Energy Code (Title 24, Parts 1 and 6)
- Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR)
- Final Statement of Reasons (FSOR)
- Response to Comments
- Updated Informative Digest
- Nine Point Criteria
Final Rulemaking Documents for CALGreen (Title 24, Parts 2-5 and 11)
- Final Express Terms
- Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR)
- Final Statement of Reasons
- Response to Comments
- Updated Informative Digest
- Nine Point Criteria
All documents relating to a specific 2022 Energy Code rulemaking can be found within the linked dockets:
- 2022 Energy Code Compliance Software and Supporting Documents (Docket Log # 22-BSTD-02)
- 2022 Energy Code Part 6 Rulemaking (Docket Log # 21-BSTD-01)
- 2022 Energy Code Environmental Impact Report (Docket Log # 21-BSTD-02)
- 2022 Energy Code Parts 2-5 and 11 Rulemaking (Docket Log # 21-BSTD-03)
- 2022 Energy Code Compliance Manuals and Forms (Docket Log # 21-BSTD-04)
- 2022 Energy Code Pre-Rulemaking (Docket Log # 19-BSTD-03)
- 2022 Energy Code Compliance Metric (Docket Log # 19-BSTD-04)
- Local Ordinances Exceeding the 2022 Energy Code
Supporting Content
News Release: 2022 Energy Code Adoption
