A remarkable teaching moment begins in a few months and the entire architectural community is invited to observe and learn, no instruction fee required.
The latest update to Title 24 Part 6 of the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards, is an audacious move and a huge boost for the 2030 Challenge. How audacious? The groundbreaking initiative is estimated to add nearly $10,000 to the cost of a new California home.
For architects nationwide, it’s a learning opportunity of historic proportions. The expected rush of innovation could result in a windfall of design ideas that radically redefines the nation’s energy and homebuilding conversation. As California goes, so goes the …
Continuous Insulation Leads the Way
The headline that is attracting the most attention is the Title 24 requirement for photovoltaic generation (solar power) on all new single-family homes and multifamily structures of three stories or less starting on Jan. 1. However, the only way solar power makes practical sense is if the house has a sufficiently low energy demand.
Enter continuous insulation, the real star of California’s energy conservation goals.
“What Title 24 is trying to answer is ‘How do we reduce household energy requirements to a level where solar power output is truly meaningful?’ ” says Charlie Devine. A veteran residential energy conservation expert and the national accounts and energy adviser to OX Engineered Products, Devine says Title 24’s conservation aims aren’t realistic without continuous insulation. Building science shows nothing works more efficiently or economically to slash home or multifamily energy use than continuous insulation (CI).
Offense and Defense
He uses a football metaphor to describe the relationship. “Yes, you can win with just a great offense (solar power) or defense (continuous insulation), but it’s needlessly difficult and expensive,” he says.
Devine understands the practical reality of CI’s incremental cost. But just try to achieve Title 24 compliance without CI. He warns there isn’t enough space on the roof or in the yard for the all the solar panels needed to compensate for a home built without CI. That challenge only escalates in harsher climate zones (and California has a remarkable 16 of them to observe and learn from).
CI Foundation
“Do the numbers. You end up spending far more in solar panels than any possible CI savings. If you’re trying to build affordably within Title 24, it starts with CI,” Devine says.
There’s another reason, too. Call it the magic inch. “To meet the R-8 insulation requirement for the home exterior, builders will avoid going over an inch with rigid insulation. Otherwise, they face the complexity and cost of furring strips or some other hanging system,” he cautions.
Why Wait?
Some Midwestern and Eastern builders aren’t waiting for the Title 24 effect to reach their market. They’ve moved forward with a proven CI panel like OX-IS, an all-in-one product offering structural sheathing, CI, and weather and air resistive barrier capability.
“Putting solar panels on a home without a CI panel like OX-IS is like putting lipstick on the pig,” Devine says. Look here to learn more about how CI can benefit your next project.
