FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Under what circumstances does a building project require a Title 24 energy analysis and report?

Whenever any of the following conditions are met, a project requires a Title 24 energy compliance analysis and appropriate documentation submitted for permit:

Any new habitable space regardless of size, including unconditioned nonresidential space with new lighting;
Any increase in the conditioned floor area of the building(s);
Any existing unconditioned space such as a garage or attic converted to conditioned space;
An existing heated space being legalized (e.g., a basement family room which is being permitted as habitable space);
Any new or replacement fenestration (i.e., windows, French doors, skylights) in a residential alteration which does not meet the minimum U-Factor and SHGC prescriptive requirements; or if more than 50 SF of fenestration is being added and the total fenestration area will be more than 20% of the floor area;
A residential gas water heater is being replaced with an electric resistance water heater, or a gas furnace is being replaced with an electric resistance heater;
150 SF or more of fenestration is being replaced, or more than 50 SF of fenestration is being added to a nonresidential building, and the fenestration does not meet the prescriptive U-factor and SHGC specified in the Standards;
50% or more of the indoor lighting fixtures in the permitted area of a nonresidential building are being replaced or moved, or any increase in the total installed watts in the permitted area;
50% or more of the outdoor lighting fixtures for a particular lighting application associated with the permitted area of a nonresidential building are being replaced or moved, or when there is any increase in the total installed watts for a particular lighting application in the permitted area;
Nonresidential or high-rise residential mechanical heating and/or cooling equipment is being installed for the first time or replaced with new equipment; and,
Replacement or extension of ducts under certain conditions.

What is conditioned space?

Conditioned space is any enclosed area with at least 10 Btuh/SF of mechanical space heating or 5 Btuh/SF of mechanical space cooling. The space may be either directly or indirectly conditioned.

Is Title 24 energy compliance documentation required even for very small additions?

Yes. Title 24 energy compliance documentation is required whenever there is any new conditioned space. Low-rise residential additions less than 100 SF with up to 50 SF of new fenestration (glazing) may be able to comply using a simple prescriptive approach instead of a more comprehensive computer energy analysis.

Is Title 24 energy compliance documentation required for alterations that do not add any conditioned space?

Yes, in most cases. All alterations must, at a minimum, comply with any applicable mandatory measures; and those measures must be shown on the plans either as a note block or by using the appropriate mandatory measures form, such as the low-rise residential form MF-1R. See the FAQ above "When does a building project require a Title 24 analysis and report" for more situations when alterations without added conditioned space trigger Title 24 compliance requirements.