Menu Toggle Software
2019 Cycle

Residential Quality HVAC

Multifamily
Single Family
Mechanical

Measure Descrption

This code change proposal includes one mandatory requirement, one compliance option, and one alternative verification method. The measures affect single family and multifamily building types and apply to all climate zones.

The proposed measures will:

  • Mandatory fan efficacy requirement: Reduce the maximum air handling unit fan efficacy currently required under Title 24 Part 6, 150.0(m)13 from 0.58 watts per cubic feet per minute (W/cfm) to 0.45 W/cfm.
  • Compliance option for fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) devices: Allow compliance credit for FDD devices that will support both the long-term, as well as initial, performance of cooling systems.
  • Alternative verification method (temperature split): Provide an alternate method to refrigerant charge verification that measures system performance and that can identify multiple system faults while reducing verification time.

The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) adopted a new fan efficacy standard for residential furnaces and certain other air handling equipment. The standard, which takes effect July 2019, will require maximum efficacies that will induce manufacturers to use fan motors that have efficiencies consistent with brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor types, enabling a reduction in the current 0.58 W/cfm Title 24, Part 6 maximum efficacy to 0.45 W/cfm. Though the DOE standard does not extend to heat pump or combined hydronic air handlers, the same Title 24, Part 6 limit is proposed for furnaces, heat pumps, and hydronic air. Tables 150.0-2B and 150.0-2C will continue to provide an alternative method of compliance to airflow-watt draw verification

Resources

The Statewide CASE Team 2019 Title 24, Part 6 Final CASE Report is available below. The Final CASE Report incorporates feedback received during utility-sponsored stakeholder meetings, Energy Commission Pre-Rulemaking workshops, and personal communication with stakeholders.

Presentations and Meetings

  1. Presentation from Stakeholder Meeting on September 27, 2016
  2. Notes from Stakeholder Meeting on September 27, 2016
  3. Notes from Stakeholder Meeting on September 27, 2016

Draft Code Language

  1. Draft Code Language – March 2017

Reports

  1. CASE Study Results Report
  2. Final CASE Report – Revised December 2017 – Results of fans in residential heat pumps added to Appendix D
  3. Final CASE Report – Revised November 2017 – Results of residential furnace fan testing added to Appendix D
  4. Final CASE Report
  5. Draft CASE Report

Give Us Your Feedback

The Statewide CASE Team values input from all stakeholders engaged in the Title 24, Part 6 code change process. We encourage the open exchange of code change comments and concerns.

  • Use the form above to provide feedback on this measure.