Do You Know the Title 24 Part 6 "Prescriptive Package" Requirements?

What is a Prescriptive Package?

The "Prescriptive Package" is the Energy Code's baseline of required energy features to show compliance with the Title 24 Part 6 Energy Code. This establishes a standard for minimum energy features and design limitations which has to be followed exactly.

This baseline offers a standard by which to weigh and measure each method of energy compliance calculation. These standards are particularly helpful for those designing buildings to meet current Energy Code Requirements, based on the location's Climate Zone.

What is a Performance Method?

To offer a different method of energy compliance that has more flexibility, the Energy Code also accepts the Performance Method. This method of compliance is calculated through the use of a computer program and compares the building design with the "Prescriptive Package".

How does this apply to me?

The Performance Method is helpful because tradeoffs can be made for meeting base requirements. For example, if the building design does not meet the minimum requirement(s) for the "Prescriptive Package" in one area, requirement(s) for other energy features may be increased to surpass "Prescriptive Package" requirement(s), to offset the deficit.

Additionally, there are unique requirements based on Climate Zones.

How do I determine specific requirements based on my Climate Zone?

The "Prescriptive Package" Requirements for all Climates Zones are shown in Standards Table 150.1-A Component Package-Single Family Standard Building Design from 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards Residential and Nonresidential Buildings [PDF]. All 16 climate zones are listed across the top of the table. Simply look across the table for the applicable climate zone and then follow each column down the list for the prescriptive required energy feature. (Find a property's climate zone ….)

What if my project doesn't meet "Prescriptive Package" requirements?

The "Prescriptive Package" requirements can be mitigated by using the Performance Method of compliance with increased HVAC equipment efficiencies, use of an HRV/ERV system, increased energy ratings for windows, and/or overhangs greater than three (3) feet. This flexiblity explains why energy compliance under the Performance Method is preferred in meeting the complex and strict California Energy Code.

How do I find the assigned climate zone for a particular property?

The California Energy Commission created an online tool to locate the climate zone for a particular property. Follow these steps:

• Go to EZ Building Climate Zone Search, a climate zone finder for the California Energy Code (the page may take a few minutes to load)
• Enter the property address in the search field
• The Building Climate Zone is shown in the result

Use Standards Table 150.1-A to look up the Energy Requirements for that specific climate zone.