The global environment continues to be a major concern for people all over the country. Due to this, many states and local communities have enacted regulations and best practices that should be followed to help reduce energy usage, which can have a dramatic impact on the environment over time. In the state of California, Title 24 continues to be a major factor to consider when developing new homes.
What is Title 24 compliance? There are various factors to understand.
Lighting Requirements
One part of a home that can be affected by Title 24 is the lighting in your home. When it comes to Title 24 and how do you make sure your lighting complies with it, there are various factors to consider. One of the most important factors to be aware of is the energy efficiency of the lighting in your home. When building a new home, you should expect that at least 50% of the lighting in the kitchen should be energy-efficient lighting options. Not only is this better for the environment, but it can cut your energy bills moving forward.
Thermostat
One small part of any property that can significantly impact the energy usage of any home is the thermostat. A thermostat is used to control the temperature of your home. While traditional thermostats can do this, people have the habit of just leaving them at a certain temperature all day. This means your HVAC system can be running all day, even if you are not home, which wastes energy. When you have a smart thermostat, it will provide you with the ability to control your home’s temperature remotely and set up smarter settings, both of which will allow you to reduce energy usage. Current codes in this state do require these thermostats.
Duct Sealing
Another important part of Title 24 involves adequately sealing all ducts in your home. When your ducts are properly sealed, it can help ensure that you are not losing heated or cooled air. This can reduce the need to use your HVAC systems and can drastically reduce your energy usage. Various minimal requirements should be understood when selecting new ducts and insulation systems.
The state of California continues to be a leader when it comes to finding ways to improve the local environment. One rule that exists in the state that helps to guide environmental decisions is Title 24. There are various parts of Title 24 that should be understood to ensure you remain in good standing.