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Builders Challenge Homes in California

DOE and the Builders Challenge program recognize that homes built in California vary from most homes built in the U.S., including:

  • A significantly different and more stringent set of building energy efficiency standards (Title 24)
  • Different tools and processes used to establish code compliance and rate the energy performance of homes, including a different HERS scoring system from the national HERS system and different rating software

DOE is working with the California Energy Commission (CEC) and other groups to develop a long-term, flexible strategy for the Builders Challenge in California. This effort includes determining how California's emerging 2008 HERS Standards may be used to qualify homes for the Builders Challenge. In the meantime, homes in California can still qualify for the Challenge and earn the E-Scale label.

Currently, there are four ways to qualify California homes for the Builders Challenge:

Performance Path

  • Option 1: A Builders Challenge-California (BC-CA) home must have a HERS Index ≤ 70 (per the national RESNET HERS Standards) using RESNET-accredited software (REM/RateTM or EnergyGauge). Qualifying homes must still meet the required Builders Challenge Quality Criteria (BCQC). This pathway is the same as the Builders Challenge approach in the rest of the U.S.
  • Option 2: A BC-CA home must have a CA-HERS value (using the pre-2008 CA HERS Standards) of ≤ 70 using accredited Title 24 software (EnergyPro or MICROPAS). Qualifying homes must still meet all required BCQC.

Prescriptive Path

  • Option 3: BC TIPs appropriate for California's climate are equivalent to BC TIPs used anywhere in the U.S. Qualifying homes must still meet all required BCQC.

Partner Programs

  • Option 4: Compliance with a partner program at an equivalency level predetermined by DOE and its partner qualifies a home for the Builders Challenge. This path requires the partner program to be equal to the Builders Challenge in terms of both energy performance and the BCQC. Partner programs currently active in California include Environments for Living, LEED for Homes, and the National Green Building Standard.

Builders Challenge homes in California deliver energy performance above and beyond what minimum code homes will deliver. Homes qualified using Options 1, 3, or 4 will generally be at least 30% more efficient than a typical new code-compliant home (on a national basis). Homes qualified using Option 2 will generally be at least 30% more efficient than a home built to the minimum standards of Title 24-2005.

Builders Challenge homes in California deliver a systems approach to high performance — with energy efficiency going hand-in-hand with the durability, comfort, and IAQ benefits of the Builders Challenge Quality Criteria.

Notes

  • Qualifying a California home for the Builders Challenge does not in any way imply compliance with state or local code requirements. All homes must comply with state and local code provisions, and in the case where a code provision is more stringent or is in conflict with a Builders Challenge requirement, the code provision will apply.
  • The compliance options above may change as DOE and CEC work toward a long-term approach for the Builders Challenge in California.