Reach Code News Brief: June 2026

2025 Multifamily Cost Effectiveness Results Now Available

Image of new Multifamily building under construction

The Statewide Local Energy Codes team recently presented results for both the Multifamily New Construction and Multifamily Alterations Cost Effectiveness Studies in a May 21, 2026 webinar. This article recaps these resources.

Multifamily New Construction

This analysis used two prototypes:

  • A three-story, loaded corridor 39,372 square foot slab-on grade, wood-framed construction structure with individual HVAC systems, central water heating and common area support spaces
  • A five-story, 140,925 square foot, wood-framed construction structure with individual HVAC systems, central water heating and common area support spaces, comprised of four stories of residential units and one story of commercial space over a parking garage

The technical team analyzed two packages: Electric Heating and Mixed Fuel Efficiency + Increased Solar Thermal. The focus was on residential units and common area spaces only and used two metrics: On-Bill and Long Term System Cost. Results revealed that analyses for both prototypes were cost-effective using the On-Bill metric for most Climate Zones (CZ) while the LSC metric analyses were cost-effective in all CZs. The final report will include analyses with current utility rates.

Multifamily Alterations

This analysis also used two prototypes:

  • Low-rise, two-story wood-framed garden style structure with eight dwelling units and individual HVAC  and water heating systems
  • Mid-rise, five-story mixed use metal-framed structure with 88 dwelling units, individual HVAC systems and central water heating system

Efficiency and  equipment measure packages were analyzed. Envelope efficiency measures (wall insulation, cool roof, ceiling insulation, air sealing) were considered along with duct sealing and solar PV measures. Equipment measures considered were heat pump space conditioning and heat pump water heating. Again, two metrics (On-Bill and Long Term System Cost) were used in the analyses.

The analyses of the efficiency measure packages revealed that for the low-rise prototype, cost effective measures included solar PV, wall insulation (blown in), duct sealing/insulation, air sealing and cool roof (0.25 ASR) measures. For the mid-rise prototype, cost-effective measures included solar PV, air sealing, wall insulation (blown in), window and cool roof (0.65/0.70 ASR) measures. Analyses for the equipment measures revealed that HPSH measures were cost-effective in all CZs except CZ15 for low-rise prototypes and in all CZs for mid-rise prototypes. For HPWH measures, low-rise cost-effectiveness for individual HPWH replacement was present in CZ12 On-Bill only while mid-rise analyses of central HPWH replacement was found to be cost-effective in all CZs.

Webinar materials, both the complete presentation and recording, are available here. The full cost effectiveness study reports will be available in Q3. The Cost Effectiveness Explorer team is currently incorporating these analyses into the tool and anticipate this will be available later this summer.


Upcoming Events

July 8: New Buildings Institute webinar: Getting In the Front Door—The Many Pathways to a Career in Decarbonization

July 8: 3C-REN Training: 2025 CALGreen – Residential

July 8: California Energy Commission: Business Meeting

July 16: I-REN C&S Training: Electrification in the 2025 Energy Code

July 21: CCR REN Event: 2025 Energy Code Roundtable for Building Departments (Heat Pumps)

July 23: USGBC-CA Event: Smart Landscape Solutions: Water, Shade & Resilience Strategies

July 29: BayREN C&S Training: Residential Alterations

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New This Month!

Technician working at a heat pump unit alongside a single family residence

A Look at the Inaugural California Heat Pump Week


Californians came together for events across 45 cities for the first-ever Heat Pump Week, from April 11–19, 2026 to celebrate and build awareness of heat pumps.

Hosted by the California Heat Pump Partnership, this statewide event brought together community members, industry leaders, contractors, policymakers, manufacturers, and utilities at more than 100 events to continue educating people about the technology and advance towards the state’s goal to install six million heat pumps by 2030.

Throughout the nine-day event, 57 partners and sponsors lent their support to make this campaign happen while community members attended events, manufacturers promoted discounts and trainings, and contractors highlighted installations.

Highlights included:

  • Los Angeles: this flagship event featured the announcement of new incentives for homeowners rebuilding all-electric homes in the wake of last year’s wildfires
  • Bay Area: this event focused on innovation inside the heat pump market
  • Sacramento: this event featured an ice cream social on the Capitol West Lawn with manufacturer and utility exhibits and hands-on engagement as well as networking opportunities

While the festivities are over for this year, interested individuals can continue to engage by following the California Heat Pump Partnership as well as by exploring the resources, incentives, and contractor connections available at The Switch Is On.

Photo courtesy of CAHPP.

Title 24 2028 image

Final 2028 Code Cycle CASE Reports Just Published!


The Statewide CASE Team has published 16 final CASE Reports that include savings estimates, cost-effectiveness analyses, market assessments, economic analyses, material and water-use impacts, draft code language, and recommended processes for compliance verification. These reports cover the following topics for nonresidential buildings:

  • Compressed Air Drying
  • Controlled Environment Horticulture
  • Data Centers Efficiency Improvements
  • Enhanced Air-To-Water Heat Pumps (AWHPs)
  • Healthcare Exceptions
  • HVAC Fault Detection and Diagnostics
  • Indoor Lighting Controls
  • Indoor Lighting Power Density
  • Nonresidential Fenestration
  • Nonresidential HPWH Ventilation Clean Up
  • Nonresidential HVAC – Air Distribution
  • Nonresidential Water Heating
  • Process Boilers
  • Process Steam
  • Solar Heating for an Existing Pool and Spa
  • Traction Elevators

The CASE reports can be valuable resources for local jurisdictions evaluating reach code options. In addition to the final reports,  Comment Letters are also available, providing additional insight and context on focused topics. Both the reports and the Comment Letters are available on the Title 24 Stakeholders website.

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This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®) and Southern California Edison Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission and in support of the California Energy Commission.

© 2026 Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison.

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