The timing of the approvals comes after the recent launching of the single largest conservation and energy efficiency effort for the four investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in California: Pacific Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Gas, and Southern California Edison. Over the next three years, these utilities will invest nearly $2 billion dollars in energy-efficiency programs. The energy savings associated with these programs are equivalent to the energy produced by three large (500 megawatt) power plants in California.
The effective date of the implementation of the 2005 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, known to the HVAC industry as Title 24 was Oct. 1, 2005. The standards included a requirement for field verification and/or diagnostic testing by a third-party inspector for new construction and for additions and alterations in residential and qualified nonresidential buildings.
Under standard protocol, a HERS Rater is required to test one in seven installations to ensure compliance with selected or required measures according to the Title 24 Standard.