Building electrification

The Building Energy Efficiency Standards are part of the California Code of Regulations. They are in the Title 24 Building Standards Code, Part 6. The standards are referred to as the “Energy Code.” The current version went into effect on January 1, 2023. 

The California Energy Commission (CEC) created the Energy Code in 1978. It strives to:

Increased energy efficiency results in the following benefits:

• Ensure construction and system design and installation achieve higher energy efficiency.
• Preserve environmental quality.
• Create minimum energy-efficiency levels for new buildings. The higher the efficiency level in a building’s design, the greater the energy savings.

The CEC updates the standards every three years. New energy-efficiency methods are added to Part 6.

For more information, visit Energy Code Ace.

The Energy Code is updated every three years with the mandate to increase building energy efficiency. The updates are cost-effective over the lifespan of a building. 

The CEC estimates that, over 30 years, the current 2022 Energy Code will:

• Provide $1.5 billion in consumer benefits.
• Reduce 10 million metric tons of GHG.

This equates to taking over 2 million gas cars off the road for a year. 

The CEC also estimates a reduction of 142,858 metric tons of net CO2 emissions per year through:

• 2022 Energy Code improvements in efficiency for new nonresidential buildings and covered processes.
• The move toward all-electric design. 

This equates to taking 32,051 gas cars off the road each year.

For more information, visit Energy Code Ace or the California Energy Commission.

The Energy Code is designed to improve energy efficiency and provide these benefits:

• Reduce emissions from new buildings or buildings undergoing significant alterations. 
• Encourage adoption of environmentally beneficial efficient electric technologies.
• Reduce air pollution to improve public health.
• Increase on-site renewable energy generation from solar photovoltaics (PV).
• Increase electric load flexibility to support grid reliability.
• Reduce energy bills. 
• Increase market value. 

For additional information about the Energy Code:

• Visit Energy Code Ace.
  • Get forms, installation methods and standards. Visit Ace Tools.
  • Get classroom and online training. Visit Ace Training.
  • Get fact sheets, trigger sheets and checklists. Visit Ace Resources.
  • Navigate the Energy Code using an index, keyword search and hyperlinked text.
• Learn more about the CEC’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
• Sign up for PG&E Energy Education Classes.

The 2022 Energy Code does not mandate all-electric for new construction. It’s designed to:

• Reduce emissions over the lifetime of the building
• Encourage efficient electric heat pumps  
• Establish electric-ready requirements for new homes
• Expand solar photovoltaic and battery storage standards
• Strengthen ventilation standards and more

Looking for resources on code-compliant all-electric projects? See Energy Code Ace’s collection on Building Electrification.

Local governments are required to adopt and enforce state energy standards. They may also add their own energy conservation requirements. These local “reach codes” require buildings to go beyond Energy Code efficiency levels. Many reach codes require or encourage all-electric buildings.

To see if there’s a reach code in your region, visit Local Energy Codes.

Incentive programs are reviewed each time the Energy Code is updated. Some newly added technologies or energy-management strategies may no longer be eligible for an incentive. Many incentive options remain, however. 

To learn more:

• Review the rebate or incentive programs.
• Explore the Trade Professional Directory to find help.