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50%. Total energy consumption was skyrocketing, and the brakes needed to be pumped.
A few years later in 1978, the CEC combined all of the building codes and standards into one umbrella of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) and called it Title 24 Building Standards Code. Of that, Part 6 has the requirements for energy efficiency. This is what your building and safety inspector is referring to when they’re at your property looking for violations to issue you a citation.
Since then, having energy standards on buildings and appliances has reduced energy consumption by $56 billion. Even still, California is hyper focused on strengthening the requirements of Title 24 tied to climate change initiatives. These requirements are here to stay, and they’re updated regularly to keep up with innovation and trends.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR TODAY
For over a decade now, every new and re-roof application in Los Angeles must be “Cool Roof compliant” with Section 6 of Title 24 in the CCR. How do they enforce it? The CCR mandates that the materials used for a Cool Roof must be labeled and rated by a 3rd party, namely the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). Before issuing a roofing permit, the Department of Building and Safety will check for a CRRC rating, and that the contractor has a valid license with the California State License Board (CSLB).
Two key features of an energy efficient roof are solar reflectance (SR) and thermal emittance (TE). The first measures how well a material can reflect the sun’s energy back into the atmosphere, and the second measures how much of the absorbed energy gets released.
Both are measured from 0 to 1, and the higher the value, the cooler the roof. For example, if a cap sheet has a “solar reflectance” of 0.20, that means it reflects 20% of solar energy. This is where you can maximize cost savings in the long term. The more heat your roof reflects on a hot summer day, the less heat there is to transfer into your building’s living space below.
The simplest approach to complying with Title 24 requirements, but not always the cheapest, is replacing the roof with new energy efficient materials. If your roof is relatively new or still in decent condition, look into a Cool Roof coating system, which can be a great value and a highly effective alternative to starting from scratch. Referred to as industrial sunscreen for your roof, a snow white, Elastomeric coating applies like a driveway slurry coat and can provide great protection. When combined with a roof restoration coating to freshen-up your dried out and tired roof, it can be a lasting solution that can eliminate leaks and prolong the life of your roof.
When you are getting roofing quotes, pay special attention to those highlighting Cool Roofing in their bid. Proceed with caution around anyone not pointing this out, and especially with anyone trying to diminish its importance.
Be prepared to talk with your contractor, first to ensure you don’t get taken advantage of, second to ensure the job is done right, and third to ensure you save the most money possible in the long run. Explore https://coolroofs.org/ by the Cool Roof Rating Council, and always work with a qualified roofing contractor (to know how to tell, see Part One of our Roofing 101 Series). An experienced and knowledgeable roofing contractor will help you navigate the maze of Title 24 requirements.
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APARTMENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE - AUGUST 2021 CS-27