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California Preparing for 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards Implementation

New standards are expected to save $23 billion by 2013

June 2009

Photo showing two men in the foreground: one is working with a table saw; the other is holding down the material. Another man in the background is working with a power drill. Other building materials and vehicles are also in the background.

Beginning August 1, 2009, builders will need to comply with the new California Building Energy Standards. The California Energy Commission has developed tools to help construction professionals learn the standards and adjust to new designs and issues.
Credit: California Energy Commission

On August 1, 2009, the 2008 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards will go into effect. These will replace the 2005 standards that are currently in effect. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is developing written and Web-based materials and training opportunities for the state's 538 building departments to prepare for this implementation.

California's building efficiency standards (along with those for energy-efficient appliances) have saved more than $56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs since 1978. The standards are expected to save an additional $23 billion by 2013.

To ensure building officials understand the new standards, the CEC is:

  • Developing and distributing residential and nonresidential standards and compliance manuals.
  • Developing simplified checklists for plan review and inspection for residential and nonresidential newly constructed buildings, alterations, and additions.
  • Developing guides to accompany checklists that provide step-by-step instructions for completing the checklists.
  • Conducting workshops for each of the 19 California International Code Council chapters.
  • Making online training videos available and developing a California Building Energy Standards Online Learning Center that will provide several courses that will highlight changes to the standards, including topics such as heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) change-outs; cool roofs; lighting; and Home Energy Rating System measures. The center will be launched this summer.
  • Providing answers and standards clarification through the Energy Standards Hotline, which can be accessed via e-mail; phone: 916-654-5106; and the Blueprint newsletter.

These resource tools help the building department personnel and building industry adjust to the innovative designs and unexpected issues that may arise when the standards are applied.

See more California project descriptions published in Conservation Update.

Read recent California news stories about state involvement in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects published on the EERE Web site.

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