Building Electrification REACH Codes
In January 2020, the City of Culver City kicked off the policy development process to explore local building energy efficiency and electrification reach codes. The proposed regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions associated with building construction, lower operating costs, as well as improve indoor air quality and safety of the City’s building stock through electrification.
Reach Code Timeline and Community Engagement
We want to hear from you! The City is currently seeking feedback from the community on proposed reach code policies for new residential and new non-residential construction.
You can watch a recording of any of the three community meetings.
Background
Every three years, the State of California adopts new building code standards that are codified in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the California Building Standards Code. While the State sets the minimum building standards, local jurisdictions can adopt more stringent local building standards (Reach Codes) based on unique local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions.
Culver City has long been a regional leader in sustainability initiatives. The city adopted its first Mandatory Green Building Program in 2009 and in 2020 phase one of the reach code went into effect. The requirements reach beyond State requirements related to light pollution reduction, water use, construction waste reduction enhancement, shower facilities for bike parking, and defensible space in wildland-urban interface areas.
Building Electrification and Reach Codes
What are the benefits of building electrification?
- Enhanced Resiliency: solar panels and batteries during power outages, avoids gas line dangers, such as leaks or explosions.
- Increased Indoor Air Quality: avoids combustion from gas stovetops and heaters, gas appliances release formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide.
- Long-Term Cost-Savings: Electric appliances can have a high upfront cost, but research shows it is worth it in the long run. Homes with electric appliances are likely to save money.E3’s “Residential Building Electrification in California,” examines costs, savings, and emissions for electric and gas appliances. E3 found that building electrification would deliver lifecycle cost savings for most home types in the study area.
What financing, rebates and incentives exist for electrification?
- Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development Program (BUILD): The Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD) Program is a residential building decarbonization program. BUILD provides incentives and technical assistance to support the adoption of advanced building design and all-electric technologies in new, low-income all-electric homes.
- TECH Initiative: TECH Clean California is a $120 million initiative designed to help advance the state’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Provides comprehensive guidance on product incentives, pilots, workforce development and training opportunities and local and state policies that impact the market.
- California Electric Homes Program – CalEHP: CalEHP Program is currently under development, not yet accepting applications. Program will provide incentives for the construction of all-electric market-rate residential buildings. Program will provide incentives for installation of energy storage systems to encourage deployment of near-zero-emission building technologies.
- Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE): PACE Funding is a way for homeowners to borrow money for energy projects and spread the cost over a long period of time.
- Go Green Financing: An official State of California initiative, GoGreen Financing provides easy access to private financing with exceptional terms and qualified professional contractor services.