Now users can select the latest version of Title 24 (2022) from the energy code menu in cove.tool!

Title 24 is the Building Energy Efficiency Standard from the state of California. It is designed for new and existing construction to achieve the desired energy efficiency and preserve environmental quality. The California Energy Commission is responsible for adopting, implementing, and updating the building energy efficiency standards. A new edition of Title 24 is published every three years following deliberation of the California Building Standards Commission and a brief period of public comment.

What are the major changes in the new version?

One of the largest changes to the structure of the 2022 Energy Code is that the Energy Code requirements for all multifamily buildings have been moved into their own subchapters, rather than being combined with single-family residential or nonresidential building types. In past Energy Code cycles, the requirements for multifamily buildings with three or fewer habitable stories were grouped together with single-family residences and duplexes in the category of “low-rise residential,” while multifamily buildings with four or more habitable stories were considered “high-rise residential,” and their Energy Code requirements were part of the nonresidential standards.

Also, changes have been made to the envelope, mechanical systems, and indoor/outdoor lighting requirements for nonresidential, multifamily, and single-family use types. Below we brought a summary of the changes but you can read more about these changes in detail in the factsheets provided by California Energy Commission on their website.

Envelope:

Metal-framed walls now have lower maximum U-factor requirements. (Table 140.3-B)
Air barriers are now required in most climate zones. (Table 140.3-B & C)
Steep Sloped Roofs have higher reflectance and emittance rating requirements. (Table 140.3-B)
Fenestration U-value and RSHGC for vertical glazing and storefronts are now Climate Zone specific. (Table 140.3-B). Also vertical fenestration must be an NFRC tested product.

Indoor Lighting:

Receptacles must be connected to the demand-responsive lighting controls when both technologies are present/required on the project. (Section 110.12(e))
Control requirements are changing under the 2022 code. (Section 130.1)
- Automatic Daylighting controls are now mandatory in secondary daylit zones.
Healthcare Facilities and Museum Buildings are added to the Complete Building lighting allowance table. Many other allowances in the table are reduced. (Table 140.6-B)
The lighting power density allowances for the Complete Building Method have been updated.
Indoor lighting alterations complying with section 141.0(b)2, are exempt from the new occupancy sensor requirements for offices greater than 250 sf. (Section 130.1(c)6D)

Mechanical & SHW Systems

There are updated prescriptive requirements for economizers. They are required for air handlers, with a cooling capacity > 33,000 BTUH (Section 140.4(e))
In general, there is a greater emphasis on Decarbonization, and the implementation of heat pumps, over gas heating systems, in most zones. ( Section 140.4(a)2)
Mandatory efficiency increases for many cooling systems, cooling towers, furnaces, and boilers. (110.2(a)) Additionally, all the minimum efficiency requirement tables are updated. (Tables 110.2-A – 110.2-N)
New efficiency tables for DOAS, Computer Rooms, heat pumps, and heat recovery chillers. (110.2, and Tables 110.2-A – 110.2-N)
Changes in the mandatory ventilation rates calculations. (120.1(c)3, & 120.1(f))
The types of rooms in which mandatory occupant sensor ventilation controls is expanded (120.2)
Additionally, Table 140.4-F defines the efficiency improvements required for eliminating an economizer
The code defines new prescriptive requirements for Heat Pump Water Heating and/or instantaneous electric water heating, in some school buildings (based on size), in most climate zones. (140.5) Similar requirements apply to most dwelling units, depending on the climate zone. (170.2(d)1)
For nonresidential occupancies, prescriptive requirements call for all water heaters greater than 1,000,000 Btu/hr, to be 90% efficient. (140.5(c))

Where one can find the automated inputs in Title 24 2022?

The following table reference the inputs for each category on the energy code:

Non-Residential:

Building envelope (Excluding Hotels/Motels and guest rooms)	Table 140.3-B - PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Building envelope properties (Only for Hotels/Motels and guest rooms)	Table 140.3-C - PRESCRIPTIVE ENVELOPE CRITERIA FOR GUEST ROOMS OF HOTEL/MOTEL BUILDINGS
Lighting Power Density (Building Area Method)	Table 140.6-B COMPLETE BUILDING METHOD LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES
Daylight and Occupancy Sensors	Section 130.1(c)
Heating and Cooling COP	Section 110.2
Ventilation Rate	Table 120.1 - A
Occupancy, lighting, and Equipment Schedules	ASHRAE Standard 90.1 User's Manual

Multi-family:

Building envelope (Including low-rise and high-rise apartments)	Table 170.2-A - ENVELOPE COMPONENT PACKAGE – Multifamily Standard Building Design
Lighting Power Density (Building Area Method)	Table 170.2-M - AREA CATEGORY METHOD - LIGHTING POWER DENSITY VALUES
Daylight and Occupancy Sensors	Section 160.5 (E)
Heating and Cooling COP	Section 110.2
Occupancy, lighting, and Equipment Schedules	ASHRAE Fundamentals

Note.

U value for spandrels is taken from mandatory requirements since it was not listed in the enveloped prescriptive requirement.
Details on daylight and occupancy sensors are provided in Section 130.1 page 204.
Non-residential buildings will have full Occupancy Sensors based on section 130.1(c), Shut-Off controls: All installed indoor lighting shall be equipped with controls able to automatically reduce lighting power when the space is typically unoccupied.
Multifamily apartments will have partial Occupancy Sensors based on Section 160.5 (E), Automatic Off Controls: Automatic off controls: In bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and walk-in closets, at least one installed luminaire shall be controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor providing automatic-off functionality.
Most buildings that have skylit and side-lit zones must have daylighting controls in order to achieve Title 24 compliance. Daylighting systems must be approved by acceptance test technicians. Controls that automatically adjust the power of installed lighting to stabilize light levels are also required.

Learn more about Title 24 here: