On March 18th, OpenADR and Codibly hosted a webinar focusing on the upcoming regulatory changes that will significantly impact pool equipment manufacturers selling into the California market. The discussion centered around Senate Bill 49 (SB 49) — a landmark regulation introducing the world’s first flexible demand appliance standard, starting with residential pool controls.

Rolf Bienert, Technical Director, OpenADR Alliance Spencer Borison, US Lead at Renewable Energy Practice at Codibly, offered a blend of the regulatory context, technical insights, and actionable next steps for manufacturers preparing for compliance.

Webinar highlights

1. Introduction to OpenADR and demand response
Rolf Bienert offered an overview of OpenADR, the open standard that enables utilities and energy providers to communicate with energy-using devices like pool pumps and controllers for demand-side management.

2. Understanding the California Energy Commission (CEC)
We explored the role of the CEC as the state’s primary energy policy agency, particularly in enforcing appliance efficiency and flexible demand standards.

3. Deep dive: What is Senate Bill 49?
SB 49 introduces the world’s first flexible demand appliance standard — starting with residential swimming pool equipment. From September 29, 2025, all pool controls sold in California must support load shifting and receive certification in standards like OpenADR 2.0b, IEEE 2030.5, or CTA-2045.

4. Why it matters
There are over a million pools in California — making pool controls a powerful opportunity for peak load shifting. The impact? Millions saved, reduced CO₂ emissions, and a more stable, resilient grid.

5. What OEMs need to do to comply
The panel laid out a practical 4-step roadmap for manufacturers, including:

  • Assessing current product readiness
  • Deciding between custom or pre-built solutions
  • Starting certification well before the deadline
  • Ensuring secure, user-friendly, and regulation-compliant technology

6. What’s next?
The CEC is already working on similar standards for thermostats, EV chargers, and water heaters, with more devices to follow.

Watch the full webinar below:

Check or downolad the webinar’s presentation here.

Looking ahead

The California Energy Commission is already developing similar requirements for EV chargers, thermostats, and water heaters. States like Washington, Oregon, and New York may follow, signaling a nationwide trend toward smart, flexible appliances.

Following our recent article on Senate Bill 49 and the joint webinar with OpenADR, our experts at Codibly will continue to explore this and related topics in more depth. We’re happy to provide ongoing insights and practical guidance for OEMs navigating regulatory changes in California and beyond — stay tuned for more valuable content coming soon!