The 2005 version of California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings, commonly known as Title 24, went into effect October 1, 2005. Building plans submitted after this date must meet the requirements of these updated Standards, which span envelope, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and domestic water heating measures.

This publication explores the latest changes to Title 24 and how they relate to the Savings By Design (SBD) program criteria. Savings By Design offers services and incentives to help architects and building owners make cost-effective decisions that improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. To be eligible for SBD design team incentives, a building must use 15 percent less energy than the minimum requirements of Title 24.

To illustrate the effects of the 2005 Standards and SBD program criteria on a building’s design and construction, the publication uses the San Mateo Police Facility, a high performance building that filed for compliance under the 2001 Title 24 Standards.