Residential Compliance Pathways

Mandatory Measures: All regulated residential buildings must comply with all applicable Mandatory Measures of the Energy Code.

In addition to meeting the Mandatory requirements, buildings must also comply with additional requirements specified within the Energy Code. Two approaches may be taken to meet these requirements: Prescriptive or Performance.

Prescriptive Approach: The Prescriptive Approach is considered the most direct path to compliance. It is a set of prescribed performance levels for various building components, where each component must meet the required minimum efficiency. There are different Prescriptive requirements for newly constructed buildings, Additions and Alterations

Performance Approach: The Performance Approach builds on the Prescriptive Approach by allowing energy allotments to be traded between building systems for residential buildings. There can be proposed energy use trade-offs between features of the building envelope, space heating and cooling equipment and water heating. This compliance approach requires using energy analysis software that has been approved by the California Energy Commission.

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This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®), and Southern California Edison Company (SCE) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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