2025 Updates: Hot Water in Mixed Fuel Projects
The 2025 Energy Code will continue to allow both gas and electric water heating systems; however, it now includes updated requirements designed to support a future transition to heat pump water heaters (HPWH’s).
November 2025 Newsletter
Falling in Love with Upgrades at Valentine Rd 3C-REN is proud to be involved in Valentine Road Apartments, a supportive housing project that is converting a former 142-room hotel into […]
Point of Use Plumbing Gets a Closer Look
The 2025 code, effective January 1, 2026, expands electric hot water options for homes 500 square foot or smaller. It prescriptively allows not only instantaneous electric systems but also electric tank systems, as long as point-of-use distribution is used.
August 2025 Newsletter
Building the Future with Girls Build Summer Academy 3C-REN was thrilled to once again collaborate on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Girls Build Summer Academy, a week-long camp that empowers […]
AB 130: Pushing “Pause” on the Residential Building Code Cycle
Proposed State legislation to pause updates to the residential building code has drawn mixed reactions. Assembly Bill (AB) 306 worked its way through several amendments in the legislature and was finally adopted and signed into law on June 30 as part of a broader housing bill, AB 130. Learn what it means for residential buildings in our latest blog.
Commissioning Requirements During Construction
In our last blog, we noted gaps in compliance with building commissioning (Cx) requirements, both for CALGreen and Energy Code, and we reviewed the Cx requirements as part of the building permit process. In this issue, we’ll provide an update on the construction phase requirements.
Checking for Compliance with Title 24 Commissioning Requirements
Commissioning is a systematic process of ensuring that building systems are designed, installed, tested, and capable of being operated and maintained according to the owner’s operational needs.
May 2025 Newsletter
Expanding Impact Across the Central Coast In 2024, 3C-REN significantly expanded its impact across California’s Central Coast. The Home Energy Savings program saw remarkable growth—single family home projects increased by […]
Considering GWP and Flammability in New Refrigerants
The new EPA refrigerant phase-out arrived January 1st of this year but we’re just now seeing questions, concerns and preferences from homeowners and designers.
Different Climate Zones for Different Standards
When designing a building, two of the earliest variables that need to be considered are Climate and Siting, since they dictate materials, assemblies, systems, and layout. The California Energy Code addresses the climate of a project’s location by establishing different code minimum or maximum requirements based on the project’s Climate Zone.