Section 160.9 of Subchapter 10 of the California Energy Code is amended to read:
Mandatory requirements for electric-ready buildings apply to newly constructed buildings and substantial remodels.
Section 160.9 Sections (a) - (c) are adopted without amendments.
Sections (d) - (f) are added to read:
(d) Systems using gas or propane water heaters to serve individual dwelling units shall include the following components:
1. A dedicated 125 volt, 20 amp electrical receptacle that is connected to the electric panel with a 120/240 volt 3 conductor, copper branch circuit rated to 30 amps, within three feet from the water heater and accessible to the water heater with no obstructions. In addition, all of the following:
A. Both ends of the unused conductor shall be labeled with the word "spare" and be electrically isolated; and
B. A reserved single pole circuit breaker space in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the branch circuit in A above and labeled with the words "Future 240V Use";
All electrical components shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
2. A condensate drain that is no more than two inches higher than the base of the installed water heater, and allows natural draining without pump assistance,
All plumbing components shall be installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.
3. The construction drawings shall indicate the location of the future heat pump water heater. The reserved location shall have minimum interior dimensions of 39" x 39" x 96".
4. A ventilation method meeting one of the following:
A. The location reserved for the future heat pump water heater shall have a minimum volume of 700 cu. ft.,
B. The location reserved for the future heat pump water heater shall vent to a communicating space in the same pressure boundary via permanent openings with a minimum total net free area of 250 sq. in., so that the total combined volume connected via permanent openings is 700 cu. ft. or larger. The permanent openings shall be:
i. Fully louvered doors with fixed louvers consisting of a single layer of fixed flat slats; or
ii. Two permanent fixed openings, consisting of a single layer of fixed flat slat louvers or grilles, one commencing within 12 inches from the top of the enclosure and one commencing within 12 inches from the bottom of the enclosure.
C. The location reserved for the future heat pump water heater shall include two 8" capped ducts, venting to the building exterior.
i. All ducts connections and building penetrations shall be sealed.
ii. Exhaust air ducts and all ducts which cross pressure boundaries shall be insulated to a minimum insulation level of R-6.
iii. Airflow from termination points shall be diverted away from each other.
All mechanical components shall be installed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code.
(e) Central Heat Pump Water Heater Electric Ready. Water heating systems using gas or propane to serve multiple dwelling units shall meet the requirements of 160.9(f) and include the following for the future heat pump:
1. The system input capacity of the gas or propane water heating system shall be determined as the sum of the input gas or propane capacity of all water heating devices associated with each gas or propane water heating system.
2. Space reserved shall include:
A. Heat Pump. The minimum space reserved shall include space for service clearances, air flow clearances, and keep outs and shall meet one of the following:
i. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is less than 200,000 BTU/HR, the minimum space reserved for the heat pump shall be 2.0 square feet per input 10,000 Btu/ HR of the gas or propane water heating system, and the minimum linear dimension of the space reserved shall be 48 linear inches.
ii. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is greater than or equal to 200,000 BTU/HR, the minimum space reserved for the heat pump shall be 3.6 square feet per input 10,000 Btu/ HR of the gas or propane water heating system, and the minimum linear dimension of the space reserved shall be 84 linear inches.
iii. The space reserved shall be the space required for a heat pump water heater system that meets the total building hot water demand as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.
B. Tanks. The minimum space reserved shall include space for service clearances and keep outs and shall meet one of the following:
i. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is less than 200,000 BTU/HR, the minimum space reserved for the storage and temperature maintenance tanks shall be 4.4 square feet per input 10,000 BTU/HR. of the gas or propane water heating system.
ii. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is greater than or equal to 200,000 BTU/HR, the minimum physical space reserved for the storage and temperature maintenance tanks shall be 3.1 square feet per input 10,000 BTU/HR. of the gas or propane water heating system.
iii. The space reserved shall be the space required for a heat pump water heater system that meets the total building hot water demand as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.
3. Ventilation shall be provided by meeting one of the following:
A. Physical space reserved for the heat pump shall be located outside; or
B. A pathway shall be reserved for future routing of supply and exhaust air via ductwork from the reserved heat pump location to an appropriate outdoor location. Penetrations through the building envelope for louvers and ducts shall be planned and identified for future use. The reserved pathway and penetrations through the building envelope shall be sized to meet one of the following:
i. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is less than 200,000 BTU/HR, the minimum air flow rate shall be 70 CFM per input 10,000 BTU/HR of the gas or propane water heating system and the total external static pressure drop of ductwork and louvers shall not exceed 0.17" when the future heat pump water heater is installed.
ii. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is greater than or equal to 200,000 BTU/HR, the minimum air flow rate shall be 420 CFM per input 10,000 BTU/HR of the gas or propane water heating system and the total external static pressure drop of ductwork and louvers shall not exceed 0.17" when the future heat pump water heater is installed.
iii. The reserved pathway and penetrations shall be sized to serve a heat pump water heater system that meets the total building hot water demand as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.
All mechanical components shall be installed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code.
4. Condensate drainage piping. An approved receptacle that is sized in accordance with the California Plumbing Code to receive the condensate drainage shall be installed within three feet of the reserved heat pump location, or piping shall be installed from within three feet of the reserved heat pump location to an approved discharge location that is sized in accordance with the California Plumbing Code, and meets one of the following:
A. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is less than 200,000 BTU/HR, condensate drainage shall be sized for 0.2 tons of refrigeration capacity per input 10,000 BTU/HR.
B. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is greater than or equal to 200,000 BTU/HR, condensate drainage shall be sized for 0.7 tons of refrigeration capacity per input 10,000 BTU/HR.
C. Condensate drainage shall be sized to serve a heat pump water heater system that meets the total building hot water demand as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.
All plumbing components shall be installed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.
5. Electrical.
A. Physical space shall be reserved on the bus system of the main switchboard or on the bus system of a distribution board to serve the future heat pump water heater system including the heat pump and temperature maintenance tanks. In addition, the physical space reserved shall be capable of providing adequate power to the future heat pump water heater as follows:
i. Heat Pump. For the Heat Pump, the physical space reserved shall comply with one of the following:
A. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is less than 200,000 BTU/HR, provide 0.1 kVA per input 10,000 BTU/HR.
B. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is greater than or equal to 200,000 BTU/HR, provide 1.1 kVA per input 10,000 Btu/HR.
C. The physical space reserved supplies sufficient electrical power required to power a heat pump water heater system that meets the total building hot water demand as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.
All electric components shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
ii. Temperature Maintenance Tank. For the Temperature Maintenance Tank, the physical space reserved shall comply with one of the following:
A. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is less than 200,000 BTU/HR, provide 1.0 kVA per input 10,000 BTU/HR.
B. If the system input capacity of the gas water heating system is greater than or equal to 200,000 BTU/HR, provide 0.6 kVA per input 10,000 BTU/HR.
C. The physical space reserved supplies sufficient electrical power required to power a heat pump water heater system that meets the total building hot water demand as calculated and documented by the responsible person associated with the project.
(f) The building electrical system shall be sized to meet the future electric requirements of the electric ready equipment specified in sections 160.9 (a) - (e). To meet this requirement the building main service conduit, the electrical system to the point specified in each subsection, and any on-site distribution transformers shall have sufficient capacity to supply full rated amperage at each electric ready appliance in accordance with the California Electric Code.
(Ord. 5627 § 2 (part), 2024)