Under Title 24, what is the minimum efficiency requirement for a gas water heater in a new residential construction?
Correct Answer
C) 0.67 Energy Factor
Title 24 requires gas water heaters to have a minimum Energy Factor of 0.67 for new residential construction to meet energy efficiency standards.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
California's Title 24, Part 6 (Energy Code) sets 0.67 Energy Factor (EF) as the minimum for residential gas storage water heaters. This baseline ensures a floor of energy efficiency without mandating the higher-efficiency tankless or heat-pump units that carry much higher EF ratings.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 0.82 Energy Factor
An EF of 0.82 is well above Title 24's minimum and describes a higher-efficiency water heater, not the minimum threshold. Installing a 0.82 EF unit would exceed code, but the question asks for the minimum required.
Option B: 0.70 Energy Factor
0.70 EF is above the actual minimum of 0.67. While it may seem close, Title 24 specifies 0.67 as the floor. Choosing 0.70 confuses a commonly seen efficiency tier with the regulatory baseline.
Option D: 0.62 Energy Factor
0.62 EF is below the Title 24 minimum and would represent a non-compliant installation. Any gas water heater with an EF lower than 0.67 cannot be installed in new California residential construction.
Memory Technique
Associate '0.67' with 'sixty-seven degrees,' a comfortable but not exceptional temperature — the bare minimum for comfort, just as 0.67 EF is the bare minimum for Title 24 compliance on gas water heaters.
More ca-trade Questions
A contractor is installing shear walls in a residence located in Seismic Design Category D. The engineer's plans call for 15/32-inch structural sheathing with 8d nails at 6 inches on center at panel edges. The contractor wants to substitute 7/16-inch OSB with the same nailing. Is this substitution acceptable?
You are reviewing plans for a mixed-use building where the ground floor will house a restaurant with commercial kitchen equipment. The architect has specified standard residential electrical requirements throughout. What Title 24 compliance issue should you identify?
According to CBC seismic provisions, what is the concept behind the 'strong column, weak beam' design philosophy?
A residence in California has 2,800 sq ft of conditioned space. The HVAC system efficiency is 16 SEER. What is the approximate Title 24 compliance margin compared to the minimum 14 SEER requirement?
You're constructing a foundation on liquefiable soils identified in a California coastal area. The geotechnical report recommends deep foundations. Which option is most commonly specified?
A contractor is installing a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system to comply with Title 24. The system serves a 2,000 sq ft house with 3 bedrooms. What is the minimum required ventilation rate?
During construction of a basement in sandy soil conditions, you encounter groundwater at 4 feet below grade. The basement extends 8 feet below grade. What is the critical design consideration per CBC?
During a seismic retrofit project, you discover that existing concrete has a compressive strength of 2,200 psi. The engineer specifies new anchor bolts that require 2,500 psi minimum concrete strength. What is the most appropriate action?
What is the maximum allowable notch depth in a 2x10 floor joist per CBC requirements?
You're reviewing plans for a wood-framed structure in seismic design category D. The project calls for a shear wall with 15/32-inch structural sheathing and 8d nails spaced 6 inches on center at panel edges. What is the allowable shear value per the CBC?
People Also Study
Business & Financial Management
120 questions · 70% to pass
Contract Administration
60 questions · 70% to pass
Project Management
60 questions · 70% to pass
Related Study Resources
Previous Question
You are designing footings for a structure on loose sand with a bearing capacity of 1,500 psf. The column load is 45,000 pounds. What is the minimum required footing area?
Next Question
A building envelope has a total wall area of 1,800 sq ft with U-factor of 0.065. What is the annual heat loss through the walls if the heating degree days are 2,800 and the indoor-outdoor temperature difference averages 15°F?