Article XII — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

The 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC), California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 1 through 8 only, are adopted by reference and amended as follows.

(2380, § 2, 12-2-25)

Section A4.204.1 is adopted and amended to read as follows:

A4.204.1 Energy Efficiency. Alterations to existing residential buildings shall comply with Section A4.204.1.1.

A4.204.1.1 Altered Space-Conditioning System Serving Existing Single-Family Dwelling Units - Mechanical Cooling. When a space-conditioning system serving an existing single-family dwelling unit is altered in climate zones 1 through 14 and 16 by installation or replacement of an air conditioner, the altered system shall comply with either a or b below in addition to the requirements for installation specified by Title 24, Part 6, Sections 150.2(b)1E and 150.2(b)1F:

a.

A heat pump shall be the primary heating source and sized according to the system selection requirements specified by Title 24, Part 6 of Section 150.0(h)5. Supplemental heating may be provided by gas furnace or electric resistance heating as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Sections 150.0(h)7 and 150.0(i); or

b.

An air conditioner shall meet all the requirements in either subsection I or II below:

I.

Systems with Existing Duct Distribution Systems:

A.

The duct system measured air leakage shall be equal to or less than 10 percent of the system air handler airflow as confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, per the requirements in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.1; and

Exception 1 to A4.204.1.1bIA. If it is not possible to meet the duct sealing requirements, all accessible leaks shall be sealed and verified through a visual inspection and a smoke test by a certified ECC-Rater utilizing the methods specified in Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.5.

Exception 2 to A4.204.1.1bIA: Existing duct systems, constructed, insulated or sealed with asbestos.

B.

Demonstrate, in every control mode, airflow greater than or equal to 300 CFM per ton of nominal cooling capacity through the return grilles, and an air-handling unit fan efficacy less than or equal to 0.45 W/CFM. The airflow rate and fan efficacy requirements in this section shall be confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, following the procedures outlined in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3; and

Exception 1 to A4.204.1.1bIB: Systems unable to comply with the minimum airflow rate and system efficacy requirements shall demonstrate compliance by satisfying all of the following:

Following the procedures in Section RA3.3.3.1.5;

Installing a system thermostat that conforms to the specifications in Section 110.12;

For standard ducted systems (without zoning dampers), meet the applicable minimum total return filter grille nominal area requirements in Table 150.0-B or 150.0-C as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix Sections RA3.1.4.4 and RA3.1.4.5. The design clean-filter pressure drop requirements specified by Section 150.0(m)12D for the system air filter(s) shall conform to the requirements given in Tables 150.0-B and 150.0-C.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1bIB: Multispeed compressor systems or variable speed compressor systems shall verify air flow (cfm/ton) and fan efficacy (Watt/cfm) for system operation at the maximum compressor speed and the maximum air handler fan speed.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIB: Gas furnace air-handling units manufactured prior to July 3, 2019, shall comply with a fan efficacy value less than or equal to 0.58 W/cfm as confirmed by field verification and diagnostic testing in accordance with the procedures given in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.

C.

In all climate zones, refrigerant charge verification requirements shall meet the requirements in Title 24, Part 6 Section 150.2(b)1Fiib, including the minimum airflow rate specified in Section 150.2(b)1Fiia; and

D.

Vented attics shall have insulation installed to achieve a U-factor of 0.020 or insulation installed at the ceiling level shall result in an insulated thermal resistance of R-49 or greater for the insulation alone; luminaires not rated for insulation contact must be replaced or retrofitted with a fireproof cover that allows for insulation to be installed directly over the cover; and

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Dwelling units with at least R-38 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Dwelling units with knob and tube wiring located in the vented attic.

Exception 4 to Section A4.204.1.1(b)ID: Where the accessible space in the attic is not large enough to accommodate the required R-value, the entire accessible space shall be filled with insulation provided such installation does not violate Section 806.3 of Title 24, Part 2.5.

E.

Air seal all accessible areas of the ceiling plane between the attic and the conditioned space including all joints, penetrations and other openings that are potential sources of air leakage by caulking, gasketing, weather-stripping or otherwise sealing to limit infiltration and exfiltration.

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1bIE: Dwelling units with at least R-38 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1 bIE: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIE: Dwelling units with atmospherically vented space heating or water heating combustion appliances located inside the pressure boundary of the dwelling unit.

II.

Entirely New or Complete Replacement Duct Systems:

A.

R-8 duct insulation shall be installed for all new ducts located in unconditioned space; and

B.

The total duct system measured air leakage shall be equal to or less than 5 percent of the system air handler airflow as confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, per the requirements in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.1; and

C.

Demonstrate, in every control mode, airflow greater than or equal to 350 CFM per ton of nominal cooling capacity through the return grilles, and an air-handling unit fan efficacy less than or equal to 0.35 W/CFM. The airflow rate and fan efficacy requirements in this section shall be confirmed through field verification and diagnostic testing, following the procedures outlined in Title 24, Part 6, Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3; and

D.

In all climate zones, refrigerant charge verification requirements shall meet the requirements in Title 24, Part 6 Section 150.2(b)1Fiib; and

E.

In Climate Zones 1-4, 6, and 8-16 if the air handler and ducts are located within a vented attic, vented attics shall have insulation installed to achieve a U-factor of 0.020 or insulation installed at the ceiling level shall result in an insulated thermal resistance of R-49 or greater for the insulation alone; luminaires not rated for insulation contact must be replaced or retrofitted with a fireproof cover that allows for insulation to be installed directly over the cover; and

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: In Climate Zones 1, 3, and 6, dwelling units with at least R-19 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: Dwelling units with knob and tube wiring located in the vented attic.

Exception 4 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIE: Where the accessible space in the attic is not large enough to accommodate the required R-value, the entire accessible space shall be filled with insulation provided such installation does not violate Section 806.3 of Title 24, Part 2.5.

F.

In Climate Zones 2, 4, and 8-16, air seal all accessible areas of the ceiling plane between the attic and the conditioned space including all joints, penetrations and other openings that are potential sources of air leakage by caulking, gasketing, weather-stripping or otherwise sealing to limit infiltration and exfiltration.

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIF: Dwelling units with at least R-19 existing insulation installed at the ceiling level.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIF: Dwelling units where the alteration would directly cause the disturbance of asbestos unless the alteration is made in conjunction with asbestos abatement.

Exception 3 to Section A4.204.1.1bIIF: Dwelling units with atmospherically vented space heating or water heating combustion appliances located inside the pressure boundary of the dwelling unit.

Exception 1 to Section A4.204.1.1: Where the capacity of the existing main electrical service panel is insufficient to supply the electrical capacity of a heat pump and where the existing main electrical service panel is sufficient to supply a new or replacement air conditioner, as calculated according to the requirements of California Electrical Code Article 220.83 or Article 220.87. Documentation of electrical load calculations in accordance with Article 220 must be submitted to the enforcement agency prior to permitting for both the heat pump and proposed air conditioner.

Exception 2 to Section A4.204.1.1: Where the required capacity of a heat pump to meet the system selection requirements of Section 150.0(h)5 is greater than or equal to 12,000 Btu/h more than the greater

of the required capacity of an air conditioner to meet the design cooling load OR the capacity of the existing air conditioner. Documentation of heating and cooling load calculations in accordance with 150.0(h) must be submitted to the enforcement agency prior to permitting for both the heat pump and proposed air conditioner.

(2380, § 2, 12-2-25)