Green Building Codes: Where to go from Here?

At AltBuild Conference, Charles Russell said the 2013 Cal Green standards for home building require 25 percent more efficiency. This includes new roof technology, solar panels, light sensors and more insulation to regulate temperature.

 
Photo Credits: Larry Shield

California has been on the cutting edge of the environmental movement and green building practices. Title 24 was adopted in the state back in 1975 and updates every three years. It's yielded tremendous results for energy efficient standards.

This was the topic of a seminar, "Green Building Codes: Where We Have been and Where are They Going," held at the 10th annual Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo, at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, Calif. on May 10.

"We're looking at where we're going with sustainability and taking a look at alternative materials," said Ron Takiguchi, a certified green builder and building official for the city of Santa Monica. "The government has recognized a need to go green and sustainable by creating green building standards."

There used to be arbitrary standards throughout the state, as Los Angeles County has 89 different codes and the state has 545 jurisdictions, said Takiguchi. Cal Green has provided a baseline of building standards that caused builders to be aware of green building practices.

According to standards set by the Energy Commission, all new homes have to be built as Net Zero homes. This static energy use means that the homes need to provide energy (through solar panels). By 2030 commercial buildings need to meet these criteria.

"Cal Green never went after existing homes, but now it's going after any increased areas or additions," said Charles Russell, vice president of VCA Code. "The civil code says that if you want to do additions to homes that were made in 1994 or before, the plumbing fixtures need to be replaced and up to green building standards."