What is Title 24?
If you live in California, you may have heard of Title 24 in relation to building codes. California has a series of energy efficiency standards that most existing or planned structures must comply with, including but not limited to hot water pumps.
According to Wikipedia,
“The California Energy Code (also titled The Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Non-residential Buildings) is the sixth section of the California Building Standards Code. The code was created by the California Building Standards Commission in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California’s energy consumption. These standards are updated periodically by the California Energy Commission. The code includes energy conservation standards applicable to most buildings throughout California.”
Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, July 5). California Energy Code. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Energy_Code
How are D’MAND Kontrols® Title 24 Compliant?
D’MAND Kontrols® meet the requirements of Title 24’s Residential Appendix (RA) Sections:
RA3.6.6 – HERS Verified Demand Recirculation; Manual Control
RA3.6.7 – HERS Verified Demand Recirculation; Sensor Control
RA4.4.9 – Demand Recirculation; Manual Control
RA4.4.10 – Demand Recirculation; Sensor Control
HERS stands for Heat Energy Rating System in California. These four particular sections in the Residential Appendix require that demand-controlled recirculation systems are truly on-demand.
What does that mean?
In short, the pump must begin pulling hot water shortly before it is used instead of running continuously or on a timer. Any controls for the pump must be able to detect an increase in pipe temperature and shut the pump off.
Each circulation loop must have its own pump and controls. The pump can be on a dedicated return line or retrofitted under a sink, but in all cases, the thermistor (thermo-sensor) must be easily accessible and installed at the endpoint of hot water distribution. This is where D’MAND Kontrols® fit in.
How are D’MAND Kontrols® Systems Title 24 Compliant?
Title 24 compliance requires that recirculation loops must have check valves, which can be included with the pump. D’MAND Kontrols® Systems come with a check valve on the outlet side.
Controls must shut the pump off once the thermo-sensor detects a 10ºF ( 5.6 ºC ) increase in water temperature; if the thermo-sensor detects a water temperature over 102ºF (38.9 ºC) the controls will not allow the pump to run. Also, controls must shut the pump off 5 minutes after activation, regardless of water temperature. D’MAND Kontrols® detect Delta T and shuts off the pump.
Additionally, compliance with Title 24 requires that activation (rocker switches, hardwired buttons, wireless transmitters, or motion sensors) must be located in the kitchen, bathrooms, and any hot water fixture that’s more than 20 lineal feet from the water heater. Multiple forms of activation are available for D’MAND Kontrols®, including hardwired buttons, motion sensors, and wireless Bluetooth transmitters.
In summary, our Kontrols™ truly operate on D’MAND®. The System brings you hot water just a few moments after you activate the System, either manually or via Bluetooth. D’MAND Kontrols® are not only to code, but also save water, energy, and money. Make your hot water convenient and compliant!