California's new residential Building Energy Efficiency Standards take effect on January 1, 2020. The 2019 Energy Standards focus on several key areas to improve the energy efficiency of newly constructed buildings, additions and alterations to existing buildings.
The most significant residential efficiency improvements address photovoltaic systems, walls, gas furnaces and lighting. Single-family homes built under the 2019 Energy Standards will use about 7 percent less energy due to energy efficiency measures as compared to homes built under the 2016 standards. Once rooftop solar electricity generation is factored in, homes built under the 2019 Energy Standards will use an estimated 53 percent less energy than those under the 2016 Energy Standards.
Major Changes
- Color quality
- Marking update
- New light source categories added