California Energy code requirement for unconditioned building

[TDarch]

Could someone please advise me on how to navigating this. I am working on fixing a building that is used as storage and unconditioned. In the Energy Code, TABLE 100.0-A—APPLICATION OF STANDARDS indicates no mandatory requirements for unconditioned space but then under performance it makes reference to 140.0, 140.1 which further make references to a bunch of requirements. Can someone explain to me in layman language what the code is trying to do here ? Makes no sense that they have energy efficiency performance requirement for an unconditioned space.

 

[Yikes]

As I understand it, the CEC deals with energy usage not only for heating and AC, but also for lighting.
So on an unconditioned space, there may be no requirements related to heating or cooling, but there my be requirements for ventilation (such as having an occupancy sensor and/or humidity sensor in a bathroom); and there may be requirements for lighting controls (occupancy sensor, daylight sensor, lighting efficiency, etc.).

 

[Joe.B]

Can someone explain to me in layman language what the code is trying to do here ?

It would be like trying to explain particle physics to second graders when you barely understand it yourself.

 

[steveray]

If it is unconditioned, it should be exempt from the envelope stuff, but it is California....

 

[vickib]

Good day everyone, There is no way to explain the Title 24 Part 6 in our language . Our company has done the "HERS" rating/inspections and certificates for builders & HVAC installers since 2005. I try to explain the code to my contractors in their language, but it's a challenge. The 140 sections you are referencing are for the energy budget, TDV. This is a calculation of the building energy use as a whole and what is used to offset grid usage, such as with solar/battery storage. It will include the envelope, roof material, HVAC, ventilation, water heating and lighting. Bet I'm missing some there too. Even unconditioned space uses energy. Your project appears to be a TI(tenant improvement), so the energy budget calcs will be required with your plans. The easiest way to handle this is to contact an energy consultant that has experience with commercial work and have them run the calcs. They can also generate the NR certificate which you will need for the building department permit application. Several SoCal cities have higher than minimum T24 requirements too. So that could also make make a difference in the calcs and what is installed. I can decipher some of it, but commercial isn't my forte. If you send me a message, I will email a company I've worked with since 2009 and they could help you. As well, they are in Riverside Hope this helps, a little. Vicki

 

[Yikes]

Specifically responding to Table 100A:



The phrase "all buildings" is further limited in scoping in 100.0(e)2.c which says :

c. Unconditioned nonresidential buildings and process space. Sections 110.9, 110.10, 120.6, 130.0 through 130.5, 140.3(c), 140.6, 140.7 and 140.8 apply to all newly constructed unconditioned buildings and 140.1, and 140.3(c), for process spaces within the scope of Section 100.0(a).​

Notice there is no word "and" between the "(c)" and the "for":

​

So the way I am reading it (and I could be wrong) the applicability of 140.3 of table 100.0a is limited to "process spaces".

What are "process spaces"? Look at the definitions and rules of construction in 100.1:

Process Is an activity or treatment that is not related to the space conditioning, lighting, service water heating or ventilating of a building as it relates to human occupancy.​

Process Boiler Is a type of boiler with a capacity (rated maximum input) of 300,000 Btus per hour (Btu/h) or more that serves a process.​

Process, Covered Is a process that is regulated under Part 6, Sections 120.6 and 140.9, which includes computer rooms, data centers, elevators, escalators and moving walkways, laboratories, enclosed parking garages, commercial kitchens, refrigerated warehouses, commercial refrigeration, compressed air systems, process boilers and controlled environment horticultural spaces.​

Process, Exempt Is a process that is not a covered process regulated under Part 6.​

I also recommend looking up other related definitions such as "unconditioned space", "directly conditioned" etc.