Solving an Electrical Problem

Home renovation projects provide homeowners with a way to improve the form and function of their living spaces. In the state of California, all renovation projects are required to meet certain energy standards.

These standards are outlined in full in the California Code of Regulations. Most contractors and architects refer to the energy code as simply Title 24.

It's important that you understand how Title 24 inspections and compliance work if you want your renovation to be successful.

Projects Subject to Title 24 Inspection

A lot of homeowners make the mistake of thinking their renovation project isn't subject to Title 24 inspection and certification. All major renovations must meet Title 24 standards. This includes the construction of a home addition or the conversion of a garage or covered porch into a livable space.

Minor projects should also meet Title 24 standards. Anytime you alter the building envelope of your home, a Title 24 inspection will be required. Examples of these minor renovation projects include the installation of new windows, insulation, or lighting.

You may be surprised to learn that some repairs can also trigger a Title 24 inspection. If you need to replace any major components in your heating or cooling system, a Title 24 inspection will be needed to ensure your home's energy use remains within an acceptable range.

Determining Title 24 Compliance

There are a couple of ways that inspectors can determine if your renovation project meets Title 24 standards.

The first method, known as the prescriptive method, requires that your contractor lay out a minimum set of energy standards for your renovation. This plan will include the energy ratings of all new appliances and ensure that window space and insulation measurements meet Title 24 standards.

An experienced inspector will evaluate the plans to verify that any alterations to your home will not compromise the overall compliance of the property. Unfortunately, this approach to compliance doesn't allow for much design freedom. If you want a more customized renovation, you should rely on the performance method of inspection.

The performance method factors in all aspects of the renovation to determine overall compliance. Instead of requiring that each aspect of the project meet Title 24 standards, an inspector using the performance method will analyze the entire design using specialized software.

The performance method allows you to have more flexibility in the design of your project by giving you the ability to make tradeoffs in energy compliance.