Performance modeling rules, the ACM, and Commission‑certified software

Grounded in the retrieved California Energy Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• § 10-109 High relevance — show source text

  (b) Performance approach. A building complies with the performance approach if the energy consumption calculated for the proposed design building is no greater than the energy budget calculated for the standard design building using Commission-certified compliance software as specified by Sections 10-109(c) and 10-116.

  1. Energy budget. The energy budget is expressed in terms of source energy and long-term system cost (LSC). A. Long-term system cost (LSC). The LSC energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design to the proposed design building and has two components, the Efficiency LSC and the Total LSC.

  i. The Efficiency LSC energy is the sum of the LSC energy for space-conditioning, water heating, mechanical ventilation, and the self-utilization credit.

  ii. The Total LSC energy is the sum of the Efficiency LSC energy and LSC energy from the photovoltaic system, battery energy storage systems (BESS), lighting, demand flexibility, and other plug loads. B. Source energy. The source energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design to the proposed design building. The source energy is the total annual source energy. Exception to Section 150.1(b)1. A community shared solar electric generation system, or other renewable electric generation system, or community shared BESS, which provides dedicated power, utility energy reduction credits, or payments for energy bill reductions to the permitted building and is approved by the Energy Commission as specified in Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115, may offset part or all of the solar electric generation system and demand flexibility Energy Design Rating required to comply with the Standards, as calculated according to methods established by the Commission in the Residential ACM Reference Manual.

  2. Compliance demonstration requirements for performance standards. A. Certificate of compliance and application for a building permit. The application for a building permit shall include documentation pursuant to Sections 10-103(a)1 and 10-103(a)2 which demonstrates, using an approved calculation method, that the building has been designed so that its energy consumption does not exceed the standard design energy budgets for the applicable climate zone. Exception to Section 150.1(b)2A Multiple orientation: A permit applicant may demonstrate compliance with the energy budget requirements of Section 150.1(a) and (b) for any orientation of the same building model if the documentation demonstrates that the building model with its proposed designs and features would comply in each of the four cardinal orientations.

  B. Field verification. When performance of installed features, materials, components, manufactured devices or systems above the minimum specified in Section 150.1(c) is necessary for the building to comply with Section 150.1(b), or is necessary to achieve a more stringent local ordinance, field verification shall be performed in accordance with the applicable requirements in the following subsections, and the results of the verification(s) shall be documented on applicable certificates of installation pursuant to Section 10-103(a)3 and applicable certificates of verification pursuant to Section 10-103(a)5. i. EER2/SEER2/CEER/HSPF2 Rating. When performance compliance requires installation of a space-conditioning system with a rating that is greater than the minimum rating required by Table 150.1-A or specified for the standard design, the installed system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable sections of Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4. ii. **Variable capacity heat pump (VCHP) compliance option.

• § 150.1 High relevance — show source text

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  8 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS—PERFORMANCE

  AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

  SECTION 150.1—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

  (a) Basic requirements. Single-family residential buildings shall meet all of the following:

  1. The applicable requirements of Sections 110.0 through 110.10.
  2. The applicable requirements of Section 150.0 (mandatory features).
  3. Either the performance standards or the prescriptive standards set forth in this section for the climate zone in which the building is located. Climate zones are shown in Reference Joint Appendix JA2–Weather/Climate Data. Exception to Section 150.1(a)3: If a single contiguous subdivision or tract falls in more than one climate zone, all buildings in the subdivision or tract may be designed to meet the performance or prescriptive standards for the climate zone that contains 50 percent or more of the dwelling units. Note: The Commission periodically updates, publishes, and makes available to interested persons and local enforcement agencies precise descriptions of the climate zones, as specified in Reference Joint Appendix JA2–Weather/Climate Data.

  Note: The requirements of Sections 150.0(a) through 150.0(r) apply to newly constructed buildings and Sections 150.2(a) and 150.2(b) specifies changes to the requirements of Sections 150.1(a) through 150.1(c) that apply to additions or alterations.

  (b) Performance approach. A building complies with the performance approach if the energy consumption calculated for the proposed design building is no greater than the energy budget calculated for the standard design building using Commission-certified compliance software as specified by Sections 10-109(c) and 10-116.

  1. Energy budget. The energy budget is expressed in terms of source energy and long-term system cost (LSC). A. Long-term system cost (LSC). The LSC energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design to the proposed design building and has two components, the Efficiency LSC and the Total LSC.

  i. The Efficiency LSC energy is the sum of the LSC energy for space-conditioning, water heating, mechanical ventilation, and the self-utilization credit.

  ii. The Total LSC energy is the sum of the Efficiency LSC energy and LSC energy from the photovoltaic system, battery energy storage systems (BESS), lighting, demand flexibility, and other plug loads. B. Source energy. The source energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design to the proposed design building. The source energy is the total annual source energy. Exception to Section 150.1(b)1. A community shared solar electric generation system, or other renewable electric generation system, or community shared BESS, which provides dedicated power, utility energy reduction credits, or payments for energy bill reductions to the permitted building and is approved by the Energy Commission as specified in Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115, may offset part or all of the solar electric generation system and demand flexibility Energy Design Rating required to comply with the Standards, as calculated according to methods established by the Commission in the Residential ACM Reference Manual.

• § 10-103 High relevance — show source text

  2. Compliance demonstration requirements for performance standards. A. Certificate of compliance and application for a building permit. The application for a building permit shall include documentation pursuant to Sections 10-103(a)1 and 10-103(a)2 which demonstrates, using an approved calculation method, that the building has been designed so that its energy consumption does not exceed the standard design energy budgets for the applicable climate zone. Exception to Section 150.1(b)2A Multiple orientation: A permit applicant may demonstrate compliance with the energy budget requirements of Section 150.1(a) and (b) for any orientation of the same building model if the documentation demonstrates that the building model with its proposed designs and features would comply in each of the four cardinal orientations.

  B. Field verification. When performance of installed features, materials, components, manufactured devices or systems above the minimum specified in Section 150.1(c) is necessary for the building to comply with Section 150.1(b), or is necessary to achieve a more stringent local ordinance, field verification shall be performed in accordance with the applicable requirements in the following subsections, and the results of the verification(s) shall be documented on applicable certificates of installation pursuant to Section 10-103(a)3 and applicable certificates of verification pursuant to Section 10-103(a)5. i. EER2/SEER2/CEER/HSPF2 Rating. When performance compliance requires installation of a space-conditioning system with a rating that is greater than the minimum rating required by Table 150.1-A or specified for the standard design, the installed system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable sections of Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4. ii. Variable capacity heat pump (VCHP) compliance option. When performance compliance requires installation of a heat pump system that meets all the requirements of the VCHP compliance option specified in the ACM

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  SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

  Reference Manual, the system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4.4.3. iii. Low leakage air handler. When performance compliance requires installation of a low leakage air-handling unit, the installed air-handling unit shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.1.4.3.9.

  iv. Reserved.

  v. Heat pump — rated heating capacity. When performance compliance requires installation of a heat pump system, the heating capacity values at 47°F and 17°F shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4. vi. Whole-house fan. When performance compliance requires installation of a whole-house fan, the whole-house fan ventilation airflow rate and fan efficacy shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.9. vii. Central fan ventilation cooling system. When performance compliance requires installation of a central fan ventilation cooling system, the installed system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.3.4. viii. Building enclosure air leakage. When performance compliance requires a building enclosure leakage rate that is lower than the standard design, the building enclosure shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.8. ix. **Quality Insulation Installation (QII).

• § 201.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  SECTION A4.201—GENERAL

  A4.201.1 Scope. For the purposes of mandatory energy efficiency standards in the California Building Standards Code (Title 24), the California Energy Commission will continue to adopt mandatory standards in the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6). It is the intent of these voluntary provisions to encourage local jurisdictions through codification to achieve exemplary performance in the area of building energy efficiency. Local jurisdictions adopting these voluntary provisions as mandatory local energy efficiency standards shall submit the required application and receive the required approval of the California Energy Commission in compliance with Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-106 prior to enforcement. Once the required filing has been verified and finding has been made by the Energy Commission, local jurisdictions shall file an ordinance expressly marking the local modification along with findings and receive the required acceptance from the California Building Standards Commission in compliance with Section 101.7 of this code, prior to enforcement. (Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-106 is available at https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/build- ing-energy-efficiency-standards/2025-building-energy-efficiency

  SECTION A4.202—DEFINITIONS

  A4.202.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2.

  ENERGY BUDGET.

  LONG-TERM SYSTEM COST (LSC).

  RECOVERED ENERGY, ON-SITE.

  SOLAR POOL HEATING SYSTEM.

  SECTION A4.203—PERFORMANCE APPROACH FOR NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS

  A4.203.1 Energy efficiency. Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings shall comply with Sections A4.203.1.1 through A4.203.1.4.

  A4.203.1.1 Long-term system cost (LSC). LSC rating for the building’s Proposed Design shall be computed by Compliance Software certified by the Energy Commission as specified in Title 24, Part 6, Section 100.1 and 150.1(b), and shall reduce the LSC required in the Compliance Software for minimum performance-based compliance with the California Energy Code by the compliance margin specified in Table A4.203.1.1. The rating shall be included in the Certificate of Compliance documentation.

  TABLE A4.203.1.1—RECOMMENDED LSC MARGINS BY CLIMATE ZONES	Col2
  CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE CLIMATE ZONE	TOTAL LSC COMPLIANCE MARGIN
  1	2.70
  2	1.62
  3	1.10
  4	1.11
  5	1.01
  6	0.24
  7	0.24
  8	0.21
  9	0.20
  10	0.18
  11	1.11
  12	1.05
  13	0.96
  14	1.21
  15	0.59
  16	1.68
  Note: Community shared options complying with Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115 may be used to achieve LSC targets.	Note: Community shared options complying with Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115 may be used to achieve LSC targets.

  2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE APPENDIX A4-9

• § 170.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  A. The Efficiency LSC energy is the sum of the LSC energy for space-conditioning, water heating, mechanical ventilation, lighting and the self-utilization credit. B. The Total LSC energy is the sum of the Efficiency LSC energy and LSC energy from the photovoltaic system, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and demand flexibility. 2. Source energy. The source energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design, except with a consumer gas or propane water heater, to the proposed design building.

  Exception to Section 170.1(a): A community shared solar electric generation system, or other renewable electric generation system, and/or community shared BESS, that provides dedicated power, utility energy reduction credits or payments for energy bill reductions to the permitted building and is approved by the Energy Commission as specified in Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115, may offset part or all of the solar electric generation system or BESS LSC energy required to comply with the standards, as calculated according to methods established by the Commission in the Nonresidential ACM Reference Manual.

  (b) Compliance demonstration requirements for performance standards.

  1. Certificate of Compliance and Application for a Building Permit. The application for a building permit shall include documentation pursuant to Sections 10-103(a)1 and 10-103(a)2 that demonstrates, using an approved calculation method, that the building has been designed so that its source energy and LSC energy consumption do not exceed the standard design energy budgets for the applicable climate zone.
  2. Field verification of individual dwelling unit systems. When performance of installed features, materials, components, manufactured devices or systems above the minimum specified in Section 170.2 is necessary for the building to comply with Section 170.1, or is necessary to achieve a more stringent local ordinance, field verification shall be performed in accordance with the applicable requirements in the following subsections, and the results of the verification(s) shall be documented on applicable Certificates of Installation pursuant to Section 10-103(a)3 and applicable Certificates of Verification pursuant to Section 10-103(a)5. A. EER2/SEER2/CEER/HSPF2 Rating. When performance compliance requires installation of a space-conditioning system with a rating that is greater than the minimum rating required by Table 170.2-K or specified for the standard

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  MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

  design, the installed system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable sections of Reference Residential Appendix RA3. B. Variable capacity heat pump (VCHP) compliance option. When performance compliance requires installation of a heat pump system that meets all the requirements of the VCHP compliance option specified in the ACM Reference Manual, the system shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.4.4.3.

  C. Low leakage air handler. When performance compliance requires installation of a low leakage air-handling unit, the installed air handling unit shall be field verified in accordance with the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA3.1.4.3.9. D. Thermal balancing valve. When performance compliance requires installation of thermal balancing valves with variable speed circulation pump(s), the installation shall meet the procedures specified in Reference Residential Appendix RA4.4.3. E. Heat pump—rated heating capacity.

• § 62.1. Medium relevance — show source text

  3. Of Class 4 as defined in ASHRAE Standard 62.1.

  4. Systems expected to operate less than 20 hours per week.

  A5.203.1.2 Performance standard. Comply with one of the advanced efficiency levels indicated below.

  A5.203.1.2.1 Tier 1. Buildings complying with the first level of advanced energy efficiency shall have an Energy Budget that is no greater than indicated below, depending on building type and the type of energy systems included in the building project. If the newly constructed building or addition does not include indoor lighting or mechanical systems, then no additional performance requirements above Title 24, Part 6 are required.

  1. For nonresidential building projects that include indoor lighting or mechanical systems, but not both: No greater than 95 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.
  2. For nonresidential building projects that include indoor lighting and mechanical systems: No greater than 90 percent of the Title 24, Part 6 Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.

  APPENDIX A5-14 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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  APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

  3. For high-rise residential and hotel/motel building projects: No greater than 95 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.

  A5.203.1.2.2 Tier 2. Buildings complying with the second level of advanced energy efficiency shall have an Energy Budget that is no greater than indicated below, depending on building type and the type of energy systems included in the building project. If the newly constructed building or addition does not include indoor lighting or mechanical systems, then no additional performance requirements above Title 24, Part 6 are required.

  1. For nonresidential building projects that include indoor lighting or mechanical systems, but not both: No greater than 90 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.
  2. For nonresidential building projects that include indoor lighting and mechanical systems: No greater than 85 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.
  3. For high-rise residential and hotel/motel building projects: No greater than 95 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.

  Note: For Energy Budget calculations, high-rise residential and hotel/motel buildings are considered nonresidential buildings.

  SECTION A5.204—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS

  A5.204.1 Energy efficiency . Alterations to existing nonresidential buildings shall comply with Section A5.204.1.1.

  A5.204.1.1 Altered pool and/or spa heating for existing nonresidential buildings . Alteration of existing nonresidential pool and/or spa heating system shall meet the following.

  Heating source sizing. Heating systems or equipment for pools or spas shall meet one of the sizing requirements of Items 1 through 5 below: 1.

• § 204.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  ** Buildings complying with the second level of advanced energy efficiency shall have an Energy Budget that is no greater than indicated below, depending on building type and the type of energy systems included in the building project. If the newly constructed building or addition does not include indoor lighting or mechanical systems, then no additional performance requirements above Title 24, Part 6 are required.

  1. For nonresidential building projects that include indoor lighting or mechanical systems, but not both: No greater than 90 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.
  2. For nonresidential building projects that include indoor lighting and mechanical systems: No greater than 85 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.
  3. For high-rise residential and hotel/motel building projects: No greater than 95 percent of the Title 24, Part 6, Energy Budget for the Standard Design Building as calculated by compliance software certified by the Energy Commission.

  Note: For Energy Budget calculations, high-rise residential and hotel/motel buildings are considered nonresidential buildings.

  SECTION A5.204—MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS

  A5.204.1 Energy efficiency . Alterations to existing nonresidential buildings shall comply with Section A5.204.1.1.

  A5.204.1.1 Altered pool and/or spa heating for existing nonresidential buildings . Alteration of existing nonresidential pool and/or spa heating system shall meet the following.

  Heating source sizing. Heating systems or equipment for pools or spas shall meet one of the sizing requirements of Items 1 through 5 below:

  1. Solar pool heating system with a solar collector surface area that is equivalent to 65 percent or greater of the surface areas of the pool or spa or a combination of both respectively; or
  2. A heat pump pool heater as the primary heating system that meets the sizing requirements of Reference Joint Appendix JA16.3. The control for the heat pump pool heater shall meet the requirements specified in Section 110.4(d). The supplementary heater can be of any energy source; or
  3. A heating system that derives at least 60 percent of the annual heating energy from on-site renewable energy or on-site recovered energy; or
  4. A combination of a solar pool heating system and heat pump pool heater without any additional supplementary heater;

  or

  5. A pool heating system determined by the Energy Commission Executive Director to use no more energy than the systems specified in Item 1, 2, 3, or 4 above.

  Exception 1 to A5.204.1.1: Portable electric spas compliant with 20 CCR, Section 1605.3(g)(7) of the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.

  Exception 2 to A5.204.1.1: A pool or spa that is heated solely by a solar pool heating system without any supplementary heater.

  Exception 3 to A5.204.1.1: An existing building with inadequate Solar Access Roof Area (SARA) as specified in Section 140.10(a) for a solar pool heating system to be installed.

  Exception 4 to A5.204.1.1: Heating systems which are used exclusively for permanent spa applications in existing buildings with gas availability.

  SECTION A5.211—RESERVED

  SECTION A5.212—ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT

• § 106.9 Medium relevance — show source text

  FEATURE OR MEASURE	COMPLIANCE LEVELS	Col3	Col4	NOTES
  FEATURE OR MEASURE	Mandatory CALGreen	VOLUNTARY CALGreen	VOLUNTARY CALGreen	VOLUNTARY CALGreen
  FEATURE OR MEASURE	Mandatory CALGreen	Tier 1	Tier 2	Tier 2
  DIVISION A6.1 – PLANNING AND DESIGN
  SECTION Site Development	SECTION Site Development	SECTION Site Development	SECTION Site Development	SECTION Site Development
  **A6.106.9 Building orientation.**Locate and orient the building as follows: 1. When site and location permit, orient the building with the long sides facing north and south. 2. Protect the building from thermal loss, drafts and degradation of the building envelope caused by wind and wind-driven materials such as dust.			
  DIVISION A6.2 – ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures	SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures	SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures	SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures	SECTION A6.203 Performance Measures
  A6.203.1 Energy performance. [OSHPD 1] **A6.203.1.1 CALGreen Tier 1. [OSHPD 1]**Buildings must comply with the latest edition of “Savings By Design, Healthcare Modeling Procedures.” A.5.203.1.2 CALGreen Tier 2. [OSHPD 1] Buildings must exceed the latest edition of “Savings By Design, Healthcare Modeling Procedures” by 15 percent.			
  SECTION A6.204 Prescriptive Measures
  **A6.204.1 ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances.**All equipment and appliances provided by the builder shall be ENERGY STAR labeled if ENERGY STAR is applicable to that equipment or appliance.			
  A6.204.4 Commissioning. Building commissioning for all building systems covered by T24, Part 6, process systems and renewable energy systems shall be included in the design and construction processes of the building project. Commissioning requirements shall include as a minimum items listed in Section A6.204.4. **A6.204.4.1 Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR).**Documented before the design phase of the project begins the OPR shall include items listed in Section A6.204.4. **A6.204.4.2 Basis of Design (BOD).**A written explanation of how the design of the building systems meets the OPR shall be completed at the design phase of the building project and updated periodically to cover the systems listed in Section A6.204.4.2. **A6.204.4.3 Commissioning plan.

• § 62.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  [ASHRAE 62.1:Table 5.16.1] Table 120.1-C, Table 160.2-D Airtightness 150.0(k)1C, 160.5(a)1C Aisle Way 130.1(c)6 Allotment 140.6(b)3, 140.6(c), 170.2(e)3-4 Alterations 10-103(a), 10-103(d)2, 10-106(a), 100.0(e), 100.0-A, Table 120.2-A, 120.6(c), 120.6(e), 130.0(a), 130.0(b), 140.0(c), 141.0, 141.0(b), 141.0(d), 141.1(b-c), 150.0, 150.1(a), 150.1(b)2, 150.2(b), 160.0, Table 160.3-C, 160.5(b), 170.0(a), 180.0, 180.2, 180.2(b) Altered 141.0(b)2C Altered Components 141.0(a)2, 150.2(a)2B, 150.2(b)2A, 180.1(b)2, 180.2(a), 180.2(c) Altered Duct System 141.0(b)2D, 150.2(b)1D, 160.3(d)1, 180.2(b)2A Altered Fenestration Maximum U-Factor and

  Maximum RSHGC Table 180.2-B Altered Luminaire 141.0(b)2I, 141.0(b)L, 150.2(b)1K, 180.2(b)4 Altered Ventilation System 150.2(b)1M, 180.2(b)5B Altered Vertical Fenestration

  Maximum U-Factor and

  Maximum RSHGC Table 141.0-A Alternate Lighting Sources 140.8(b), 170.2(e)7B Alternating Current-Output Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) 140.9(a)4 Alternating Current-Output Uninterruptible Power Supply Minimum Average Efficiency Table 140.9-B Alternative Calculation Method (ACM) Approval Manual 150.1(b) Alternative Plumbing 110.10(b)1A , 110.10(b)1B Alternative Procedure 10-109(h), 150.1(c)7 , 150.2(b)1F, 170.2(c)3B, 180.2(b)2A Aluminum-pigmented 110.8(i)4B Ambient Air 120.7(a-c) , 140.3(a)7 , 141.0(b)1 , 141.0(b)1C, 150.0(a), 150.0(c), 150.0(d), 160.1(a), 160.1(b), 160.1(c), 170.2(a)4, 170.2(d)2F, 180.2(a) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 150.0(m)1 , 150.0(p) ANSI/AHRI 110.

• California Energy Code Medium relevance — show source text

  ALTERED COMPONENT is a new fenestration component that has undergone an alteration other than a repair and is subject to all applicable standards requirements.

  BAY WINDOW is a combination assembly which is composed of three or more individual windows either joined side by side or installed within opaque assemblies and which projects away from the wall on which it is installed. Center windows, if used, are parallel to the wall on which the bay is installed, the end panels or two side windows, are angled with respect to the center window. Common angles are 30° and 45°, although other angles may be employed.

  CHROMOGENIC GLAZING is a class of switchable glazing that includes active materials (e.g., electrochromic) and passive materials (e.g., photochromic and thermochromic) permanently integrated into the glazing assembly. Their primary function is to switch reversibly from a high transmission state to a low transmission state with associated changes in VT and SHGC.

  CLERESTORY FENESTRATION is fenestration installed above a roofline greater than or equal to 60 degrees from the horizontal, or any portion of exterior vertical glazing greater than 8 feet per floor above the finished floor of a space.

  CMA (component modeling approach) is a fenestration product certification program from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) that enables energy-related performance ratings for nonresidential fenestration products, including the thermal performance U -factor, solar heat gain coefficient, and visible transmittance.

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  ALL OCCUPANCIES—GENERAL PROVISIONS

  CMAST (component modeling approach software tool) is an NFRC approved software that allows a user to create a fenestration product “virtually” and generate its energy-related performance ratings, including the thermal performance U -factor, solar heat gain coefficient, and visible transmittance.

  CURTAIN WALL/STOREFRONT is an external non-bearing wall intended to separate the exterior nonconditioned and interior conditioned spaces. It also consists of any combination of framing materials, fixed glazing, opaque glazing, operable windows or other in-fill materials.

  Note: Window wall is also included as part of the curtain wall/storefront fenestration category.

  DUAL-GLAZED GREENHOUSE WINDOWS is a double glass pane separated by an air or other gas space that adds conditioned volume but not conditioned floor area to a building.

  DYNAMIC GLAZING SYSTEMS are glazing systems that have the ability to reversibly change their performance properties, including U -factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and/or Visible Transmittance (VT) between well-defined end points. These may include, but are not limited to, chromogenic glazing systems and integrated shading systems (defined below). Dynamic Glazing systems do not include internally mounted or externally mounted shading devices that attach to the window framing/glazing that may or may not be removable.

  FENESTRATION ALTERATION is any change to an existing building’s exterior fenestration product that is not a repair (see “fenestration repair”) that: i. Replaces existing fenestration in an existing wall or roof with no net area added; or ii. Replaces existing fenestration and adds new net area in the existing wall or roof; or iii. Adds a new window that increases the net fenestration area to an existing wall or roof.

• § 170.0 Medium relevance — show source text

  Exception to Section 170.0 (a)3: If a single development falls in more than one climate zone, all buildings in the subdivision or tract may be designed to meet the performance or prescriptive standards for the climate zone that contains 50 percent or more of the dwelling units.

  NOTE: The Commission periodically updates, publishes and makes available to interested persons and local enforcement agencies precise descriptions of the climate zones, as specified in Reference Joint Appendix JA2—Weather/Climate Data.

  NOTE: The requirements of Sections 170.1(a) through 170.2(e) apply to newly constructed buildings and Sections 180.1 and 180.2 specify changes to the requirements of Sections 170.1(a) through 170.2(e) that apply to additions or alterations.

  NOTE: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code . Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8 and 25943, Public Resources Code .

  SECTION 170.1—PERFORMANCE APPROACH

  A building complies with the performance approach if the energy consumption calculated for the proposed design building is no greater than the energy budget calculated for the standard design building using Commission-certified compliance software as specified by Sections 10-109 and 10-116 and the Alternative Calculation Method Reference Manual.

  (a) Energy budget. The energy budget is expressed in terms of long-term system cost (LSC) and source energy:

  1. Long-term system cost (LSC). The LSC energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design to the proposed design building and has two components, the Efficiency LSC and the Total LSC.

  A. The Efficiency LSC energy is the sum of the LSC energy for space-conditioning, water heating, mechanical ventilation, lighting and the self-utilization credit. B. The Total LSC energy is the sum of the Efficiency LSC energy and LSC energy from the photovoltaic system, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and demand flexibility. 2. Source energy. The source energy budget is determined by applying the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of the standard design, except with a consumer gas or propane water heater, to the proposed design building.

  Exception to Section 170.1(a): A community shared solar electric generation system, or other renewable electric generation system, and/or community shared BESS, that provides dedicated power, utility energy reduction credits or payments for energy bill reductions to the permitted building and is approved by the Energy Commission as specified in Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-115, may offset part or all of the solar electric generation system or BESS LSC energy required to comply with the standards, as calculated according to methods established by the Commission in the Nonresidential ACM Reference Manual.

  (b) Compliance demonstration requirements for performance standards.

  1. Certificate of Compliance and Application for a Building Permit. The application for a building permit shall include documentation pursuant to Sections 10-103(a)1 and 10-103(a)2 that demonstrates, using an approved calculation method, that the building has been designed so that its source energy and LSC energy consumption do not exceed the standard design energy budgets for the applicable climate zone.
  2. Field verification of individual dwelling unit systems.
• § 130.5 Medium relevance — show source text

  Exception 2 to Section 130.5(d): Receptacles in healthcare facilities.

  (e) Demand responsive controls and equipment. See Section 110.12 for requirements for demand responsive controls and equipment, including demand responsive controls for controlled receptacles.

  Note: Definitions of terms and phrases in Section 130.5 are determined as specified in Section 100.1(b). Terms and phrases not found in Section 100.1(b) shall be defined as specified in Title 24, Part 3, Article 100 of the California Electrical Code.

  Note: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8, and 25943, Public Resources Code.

  2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE 103

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  104 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  5 NONRESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCIES—

  PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES FOR ACHIEVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

  SECTION 140.0—PERFORMANCE AND PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE APPROACHES

  Nonresidential and hotel/motel buildings shall comply with all of the following: (a) The requirements of Sections 100.0 through 110.12 applicable to the building project (mandatory measures for all buildings). (b) The requirements of Sections 120.0 through 130.5 (mandatory measures for nonresidential and hotel/motel buildings). (c) Either the performance compliance approach (energy budgets) specified in Section 140.1 or the prescriptive compliance approach specified in Section 140.2 for the climate zone in which the building will be located. Climate zones are shown in Figure 100.1-A.

  Note to Section 140.0(c): The Commission periodically updates, publishes and makes available to interested persons and local enforcement agencies precise descriptions of the climate zones, which is available by zip code boundaries depicted in the Reference Joint Appendices along with a list of the communities in each zone.

  Note to Section 140.0: The requirements of Sections 140.1 through 140.10 apply to newly constructed buildings. Section 141.0 specifies which requirements of Sections 140.1 through 140.10 also apply to additions or alterations to existing buildings.

  Note: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8, and 25943, Public Resources Code.

  SECTION 140.1—PERFORMANCE APPROACH: ENERGY BUDGETS

  A building complies with the performance standards if the energy consumption calculated for the proposed design building is no greater than the energy budget calculated for the standard design building using Commission-certified compliance software as specified by Sections 10-109(c) and 10-116.