In just a few years, new homes built in California will be required to generate as much energy as they use. To ease the path for architects to adopt the necessary design practices, the California Council of the American Institute of Architects has published a new guide, called the Zero Net Energy Primer
Along with design tips, checklists, and diagrams, this guide includes numerous photos of built projects in California that are operating at or near zero net energy. They range from multifamily affordable housing complexes and modest workforce cottages to high-end custom homes, demonstrating that zero net energy cuts across the economic spectrum. And, although short and to-the-point, the Zero Net Energy Primer contains extensive resource listings, broken down by topic, to provide more in-depth assistance to those who wish to delve further into the details of high-performance design and construction.
”While the Primer contains some information specific to code requirements in the State of California, its concise design guidance and resources make it applicable to all designers and builders looking to build better and hit zero,” says Brett Little, executive director of GreenHome Institute.
The well-illustrated, 24-page Net Zero Energy Primer was developed by pioneering net zero energy consultant, Ann Edminster, with funding from Pacific Gas & Electric Co, and is free to download.
Brandon De Young says:
Hi Bruce, this is a great post, but there is a really important mistake that I feel should be cleared up. The upcoming 2019 Title 24 energy code in California–going into effect 1/1/20–will not, in fact, be a Zero Energy code. Instead, it will require further improvement to energy efficiency compared to the last code (as always) and will also require enough solar to produce as much annual ELECTRICITY as the home is estimated to consume. It will ignore GAS use altogether, though.
Also, in the Primer document that was linked to in the post on page 7 of the primer document, they correctly state “Although that goal will not be fully realized in 2020, Title 24-2019, Part 6, will require the highest level of energy efficiency to date: all new single-family and low-rise multifamily homes submitted for plan check after December 31, 2019, will need to include a Title 24 report showing zero net electricity use, and it is very likely Title 24-2022 will require a ZNE standard for both electricity and gas.” But then I take issue with the large quote on page 8 where they say, “California’s 2019 code will not require that the home operate at ZNE, only that it be designed to meet the standard.”
Also, they use language in paragraph four on this page that makes it seem like ZNE is going to be required under 2019 code: “The procedure for complying with California ZNE requirements will be unchanged from the current….”
Another spot I take issue with is the copy on the very last page. Again, it makes it seem like the 2019 code will require full ZNE. I plan to raise these same concerns with Ann right now.
Hopefully my comments will help clarify the topic for others. Always happy to discuss further…
Daphne Gilpin says:
Thanks for explaining that the goal of the upcoming change is to have California building projects operating at zero or near zero net energy. Lately I’ve been wanting to learn more about how energy uses is tracked and regulated, so I’ve been doing some research online about energy policies. It was interesting to learn about the upcoming change in California, so thanks for sharing!