Energy Code Ace - I want to explore the appliance efficiency regulations

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Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations are part of the California Code of Regulations. The Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations are in Chapter 4, Article 4 of California’s overall Title 20 Public Utilities and Energy Regulations, but they are often just referred to as Title 20.

Title 20 includes federal and state minimum efficiency requirements for energy and water use in regulated appliances. Federal appliance efficiency standards are mandatory minimums nationwide and cannot be superseded by state regulations, but states can set their own minimum efficiencies for appliances that the federal government does not regulate.

Appliances covered in Title 20 include, but are not limited to, water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, refrigeration, pumps, fan motors, lamps and ballasts, household appliances, and consumer electronics.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) maintains a searchable public database of certified equipment, the Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System (MAEDbS), to help building professionals and the general public identify and install energy and water efficient products. Everyone in the sales chain – including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, contractors, and importers – is responsible for ensuring regulated products are listed in the MAEDbS. Learn more about the MAEDbS and how to use it with the Energy Code Ace Title 20 On-Demand Video Training.

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Reference Ace can help you easily navigate Title 20, including hyperlinked sections to easily jump to referenced sections, pop-up definitions for key terms, and keyword search capabilities. You can use Reference Ace online in your browser or download it to your desktop.

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Manufacturers of regulated appliances for use in California must follow state guidelines to test and label their products. The manufacturers must certify the efficiency of their products to the CEC to show that the products comply with Title 20 requirements. This certification is required before regulated appliances can be sold in California.

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As a retailer, distributor, or installer, it is your responsibility to verify that the Title 20-regulated products you are offering for sale are compliant prior to selling them by verifying that they are listed on the CEC’s Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System (MAEDbS).

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Check out our fact sheets that are designed specifically for different industry roles or appliances. You’ll find training on different topics, and courses designed to help manufacturers, distributors, and retailers gain the knowledge and skills they need.

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