New Regulation Hits California Homeowners

California’s new energy efficiency regulations, which started being enforced last summer, dramatically boost costs for owners of older homes when they need major maintenance on their systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. That’s because ducts must be “R-8” insulated and certified to be free of leaks, a standard that can force total replacement for many houses built before 2008. . . The Energy Commission has also mandated construction industry software with epic performance problems. This is devouring dollars across the industry, as well as reducing the efficiency of new homes and commercial buildings.