Raising the Bar: How California’s New 2005 Standard Saves 478 GWh and 181 MW a Year

Charles Eley, Architectural Energy Corporation
Bill Pennington, California Energy Commission
Gary Fernstrom, Pacific Gas and Electric

Keywords

Abstract

When California’s new energy efficiency standards take effect in 2005, they are projected to save 478 GWh annually and reduce peak demand by 181 MW per year.1 This paper describes the features of the new standards and the collaborative process between the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the investor-owned utilities.

An initial process calling for ideas from the buildings and construction community in California resulted in more than 270 ideas being submitted. Proponents presented ideas at public workshops. Later they were ranked on:

The energy savings and peak demand reduction expected to be achieved by the proposed revision.
Whether or not the CEC committed to address the proposed revision during the previous rulemaking.
The extent that public funds had been invested to date in developing the proposed revision.

Selected measures were then developed in more detail and considered at additional public workshops. The standards were developed and revised in response to public comment at workshops and hearings.

The new standards continue to place more emphasis on peak demand reduction as time dependent valuation (TDV) replaces source energy for performance calculations. New requirements for performance verification are added for nonresidential mechanical and electrical equipment that is susceptible to failure. The standards also extend the role of third-party field verification and/or diagnostic testing agents. Some measures such as cool roofs and high performance windows apply to building component replacements as well as newly constructed buildings and additions. Additionally, the standards include outdoor lighting and signs requirements for the first time.