Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to provide
to have a Title 24 compliance documentation completed?
You need to supply a complete set of plans for your new or existing building.
The plans should include:
- Building floor plans
-
Square footage of the building
-
Window, door sizes, and locations
-
Type of heating and air conditioning systems
-
Size and type of hot water heater
-
Building orientation
-
Contact information
-
The address of the property
-
Lighting plans
For additions:
- Please provide the square footage
of the existing structure.
- Please identify any windows,
doors and walls scheduled to be replaced.
- Also note if any changes are
planned for the roof.
- Will you be using the existing
hot water heater, heating and air conditioning systems, or will
they be replaced?
When do I need to show Title
24 compliance?
Title 24 compliance documentation
needs to be submitted to the building department prior to the issuance
of building permits when building either a new home or adding an addition
to an existing home.
Why is the building department
asking for Title 24 compliance when I'm only doing an alteration and
I'm not adding any square footage?
Often we are only changing doors
and windows. However, when the opening size is changed it has an effect
on the energy budget for your home. The building department will either
require you to make the new windows or doors dual pane, or ask that
a Title 24 energy calculation be done to show that the changes will
not exceed your allowed energy budget.
Why do I need to provide drawings
of my existing home when I'm adding space to it?
If we attempt to model your home's
addition as a new building, it normally won't comply with the current
energy efficiency standards. Therefore, we model your existing home and then
we model it with the addition and compare the two models.
This is a much more laborious and
time-consuming approach for us. However, we have often found that
gaining compliance is much easier and more cost effective for you
the homeowner by using this approach.
We have been able to save our clients
time and money this way and it is always to the advantage of the homeowner
to use this approach.
What is a package addition and
why shouldn't I show compliance that way?
A package addition is basically
an agreement between you and the building department. You are agreeing
to meet or exceed a standard set by the California Energy Commission.
The package addition can be completed
by going to your building department and completing the forms CF-1R
and MF-1R. The problem with this approach is that it limits the amount
of glazing, requires high performance dual pane glazing, R-30 insulation
in the roof, radiant heat barrier installed, tight ducts and subsequent
third party inspections to prove all of the above. All of these things
may be an unnecessary expense.
Some building departments may entice
you to use this approach by telling you that it is easier and cheaper
than hiring an energy consultant, or that they will grant your permit
more quickly.
While it is true that you may have
your plans checked and approved a little faster in some cases, it
is not true that it is easier and less expensive. Our job as your
energy consultant is to know and show you all of your available options,
offer competent advice and expeditiously pursue the most cost effective
end results.
When is the best time to submit
my drawings for Title 24 analysis?
The best time to submit your plans
is when you have made all of the decisions about your building project.
Be sure of the window and door
sizes and their locations. However, if you haven't decided on the
manufacturer for the windows and doors we can still do our calculations,
but we get the best results if you have already made that decision.
The reason is that we can use specific data pertaining to the fenestration
products you select.
It is best to decide how you intend
to heat your home, whether it is forced air or radiant floor, as well
as whether you will have air conditioning or not.
Typically, Title 24 calculations
are one of the last things you should do before submitting your plans
to the building department for approval.
What can be done for bootlegged
additions?
If you have converted a garage
or enclosed a patio, or someone else did it before you bought your
home and now the building department insists on a permit, we can help.
We are your energy consultants, and we have the knowledge and expertise
to address this very situation.
Every bootlegged addition is different
and the circumstances surrounding it are always subjective, so it
is hard to give general advice. We can say this though: call us. We
will help you correct the situation and find the most cost-effective
solution.
Office: 760.635.2327 Fax: 760.683.6889
E-mail: wayne@beartechnologys.com
