Strategy 4.1: Pursue regional climate optimized equipment standards through DOE rulemaking process.

Both noted in the Strategic Plan and an important part of the expansion of a smart grid system, HVAC systems must not only become more intelligent, but also must be more climate responsive.  Research on climate optimized air conditioning for California sponsored by the CEC, has confirmed the benefits of equipment designed and/specified to perform more efficiently in hotter drier areas in the western United States. The federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 allowed the US Secretary of Energy to consider the potential benefits of establishing climate optimized residential heating and cooling standards that exceed the national uniform minimum efficiency levels set by the US DOE.  The national minimum efficiency levels cannot be legally exceeded in state and local building energy codes.  

Strategy 4.4: Adopt a progressive set of building codes that support the deployment of peak efficient equipment.

Residential and commercial air conditioners are the principal cause of peak electrical energy (energy used during time of high system demand primarily between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on hot summer days) use in California. Nearly 100 percent of the difference between regular base load electricity use and the peak load is from air conditioning.  Extremes in high and low temperatures create peak demand, thus making HVAC performance a crucial link in managing peak loads.  While peak demand reduction mechanisms including utility programs and rate design (TDV-responsive rates will be in place for all California ratepayers in 2014) provide a strong signal to customers for managing their use of electricity during the peak demand hours, providing mandatory code requirements assures deeper peak reduction impact.  It is important to approach code change in a step-by-step way, first telegraphing direction in reach codes that go beyond current standards and allow industry time to adapt.  Since early 2010, efforts have been pursued to realize these strategies by supporting higher mandatory federal efficiency standards as the lowest cost option for consumers and ratepayers.