The latest Title 24 California Standards and Regulations, published in September 2004, is about 150 pages long and contains energy efficiency standards for many elements of both residential and non-residential buildings in the State of California. Descriptions, definitions and mandates are included for basic construction materials, HVAC systems, water heaters, doors, windows and almost every item that could affect the amount of energy usage. Since residential lighting can be a factor in energy usage it is covered in some detail in the code. While the mandates do not seem difficult to meet, they do call for some preplanning whenever construction or remodeling takes place.
While this summary is not meant to replace a careful reading of the actual code (which can be downloaded from the Com- mission’s website -www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2005standards/index. html) it does cover the most pertinent points that apply to residential lighting. Basically the mandates call for an effective combination of high efficacy lighting fixtures, electronic ballasts, and motion sensors and dimmers. Title 24 treats different areas of a house differently and a low-rise residential house is divided into the following areas:
1. Kitchen areas
2. Bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms and utility rooms
3. Other areas of a house except kitchens, bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms and utility rooms
4. Outdoor lighting attached to a building or on the same lot
Kitchen Areas
The most detailed standards apply to kitchen areas and the first requirement is that lighting fixtures must be high efficacy; the only practical way to meet the definition of “high efficacy” is with conventional fluorescent or compact fluorescent lighting. Ballasted fixtures of more than 13 watts must have an electronic ballast. If the fixture in question is a recessed fixture in an insulated ceiling, it must also be IC rated for direct contact with insulation and be listed as air tight meeting the requirements of ASTM E283 airflow test (the code also specifies that the fixture cannot have a medium base socket, so retrofit fluorescent bulbs with an incandescent style base are not allowed). There is nothing in the standard, however, that limits the number of high efficacy fixtures, so theoretically you could install as many fixtures as you want as long as they are high efficacy, electronically ballasted IC, and air tight.
What if the homeowner wants a decorative chandelier or some sparkling incandescent pendants over the kitchen counters? With a nod to these aesthetic desires, Title 24 does allow such fixtures in the kitchen but only as long as they do not exceed 50% of the total wattage of kitchen fixtures. For example, if there are six 26W compact fluorescent (6 x 26W =156W) fixtures in the kitchen, you could have 156 watts worth of “low efficacy” fixtures (actually you have to use the total wattage of the lamp/ballast combination not just the lamp rating). The code also specifies that the high efficacy fixtures and the low efficacy fixtures must have separate switches. If the homeowner wants more chandeliers or pendants, they must be balanced with additional high efficacy fixtures.
Bathrooms, Garages, Laundry Rooms and Utility Rooms
In these areas, permanently installed luminaries must still be high efficacy. An exception to this requirement can be achieved if “low efficacy” fixtures are controlled by a special “manual-ON” occupancy sensor that turns off the lights no longer than 30 minutes after the room is vacated. Additionally, the sensor is not allowed to automatically turn the fixtures ON and the sensor cannot be set to always keep the lights ON.
Other Areas
Other areas of the house (what’s left are bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms, dens etc.) must also have high efficacy luminaries if they are permanently installed. Other types of permanently mounted fixtures are allowed if they are controlled by a dimmer switch OR if they are controlled by an occupancy sensor that turns off the lights no longer than 30 minutes after the room is vacated, and that cannot automatically turn the fixtures ON or be set to always keep the lights ON. A final exception is made for closets smaller than 70 sq. ft. that do not require high efficacy fixtures.
Outdoor Lighting
Fixtures used for outdoor lighting must also be high efficacy. However, they can be fixtures other than high efficacy if they are controlled by a motion sensor. The motion sensor must also have an integral photocontrol that will turn the lights off when people are not present at night and off in the daytime.
With this summary in mind let’s try to imagine some of the most probable questions that might come up in a lighting showroom as homeowners tackle construction or remodeling…
Q: Do I have to remove and replace all the fixtures in my existing house to meet Title 24?
A: No
Q: I’m going to do some remodeling and replace some light fixtures in my existing house. Do I need to follow the new Title 24 Code?
A: Yes
Q: Does Title 24 apply to floor lamps and table lamps?
A: No. Title 24 only specifies requirements for “permanently wired” luminaires.
Q: What’s the easiest way to meet Title 24 requirements (assuming the use of recessed fixtures)?
A: The easiest way to meet Title 24 is to install recessed fixtures that are: • High efficacy (this effectively means compact fluorescent); • Equipped with electronic ballasts; • IC rated (if installed in an insulated ceiling); and • Air-tight rated (if installed in an insulated ceiling).
Q: Is there a limit to the number of luminaires that can be installed in a room, or the whole house for that matter?
A: Title 24 does not set limits on either the number or the wattage - just the type of luminaires.
Q: When do these requirements take effect?
A: October 1, 2005 but people are encouraged to follow these guidelines as soon as practical since all technology for compliance is already available. While the specific details of theses standards obviously only apply to California, similar standards will without a doubt appear in other states. The challenge of effective energy management will be with us far into the future and its demands will no doubt accelerate the evolution and usage of high efficiency products in the home especially in the field of lighting.
