What Is It?
Energy conservation is critical in California
In a far-reaching initiative to decrease consumption, the California Energy Commission has adopted new Title 24 guidelines that significantly impact lighting in new residential homes and renovations.
As of October 2005, builders are required to install energy efficient technologies in every room of the home. Depending on the room, these include:
• High-efficacy fluorescents, compact fluorescent (CFL) or high-density discharge lamps
• Dimmers
• Occupancy sensors
By using a combination of lighting controls and high-efficacy fixtures, you will effectively meet code requirements, and provide your clients with innovative solutions that save money - now and in the future. And, you will play an important role in significantly reducing lighting energy usage.
More information for Title 24:
http://www.thebii.org/resources.htm
http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/
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California Energy Commission Special Bulletin
Questions and Answers Residential Q. When calculating the lighting power adjustment factors (control credits) in Table 146-A, and minimum skylight to daylit floor area calculations in Section 143(C), Table 143-F, can we substitute Visible Transmittance (VT) on the NFRC’s Label Certificate Performance Ratings for the Energy Commission’s Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)? – Read more |
A. Yes, in both the 2001 and 2005 Standards for lighting power adjustment factor calculations in Table 146-A minimum skylight to daylit floor area of calculating in Section 143(C) and Table 143-F; VT may be substituted for VLT, including in equation 146-A, EFFECTIVE APERTURE OF SKYLIGHTS. Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) is a property of the glass or plastic glazing material only. VLT is the ratio (expressed as a decimal) of visible light that is transmitted through a glazing material to the light that strikes the material. VLT can be determined using the values listed in ASHRAE Handbook, Fundamentals Volume, Chapter 30, Table 24 or from the manufacturer’s literature. VT from NFRC includes the effects of framing, and using it to calculate the power adjustment factors in lieu of VLT results in a slightly more conservative (lower) credit levels. Note the if VT is used in lieu of VLT for the purpose of calculating the minimum skylight to daylit floor area of calculating in Section 143(C), Table 143-F, because VT values are lower than VLT values, other parameters in Equation 146-A — such as well efficiency, total skylight area, or daylit area under skylights - must be improved to achieve the desired Effective Aperture levels specified in column three of Table 143-F. For more information on how to determine VLT, refer to Section 5.2.1.4, Daylighting Controls, in the 2005 Nonresidential Compliance Manual. |
Design Guidelines for Home Builders On another front, the California Lighting Technology Center, at the University of California, Davis, has created the “Residential Lighting Design Guide – Best practices and lighting designs to help builders comply with California’s 2005 Title 24 energy code.” – Read more |
The Guide includes an overview of Standards requirements and design recommendations for each area of the home. The Guide is targeted to respond to the information needs of production home builders, lighting specifiers, contractors and designers. The Guide is now available and will be distributed through trade shows and a website: http://www.cltc.ucdavis.edu/ The Guide project is funded by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas and Electric (Sempra Utilities), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Energy Star®
The 2005 Standards require either high efficacy luminaires or specific controls when non-high efficacy luminaries are installed in residential buildings. All exterior luminaires attached to a building are required to be either high effi cacy or controlled by both a photocontrol and motion sensor. Installing Energy Star® Version 4.0 compliant luminaires will be an easy way for builders to meet California Standards. Since earlier versions of Energy Star® luminaires do not comply with the new California lighting requirements, it’s important that builders make sure to purchase Energy Star® Version 4.0 luminaires. To encourage easy identification of luminaires that meet the high efficacy requirements in the 2005 Standards, EPA and the Energy Commission are working with several manufacturers who will choose to put a standard label on their luminaires that indicates that the luminaires are both Energy Star® and compliant with the 2005 Standards. Note that the Energy Star® specifi cation includes feature requirements that are not included in the Standards, so if a luminaire does not have the Energy Star®/Title 24 05 label, it still may very well meet the 2005 Standards requirements. The 2005 Standards do not require Energy Star® labels to establish that a luminaire complies with the high efficacy requirements. The luminaire merely must meet the Title 24 minimum efficacy requirements, not contain a medium screw-base socket, and use an electronic ballast. For outdoor luminaires, the Energy Star® label indicates that the luminaire is either high efficacy or has the lighting controls required by the Standards. It is important to realize that the Energy Star®/Title 24 05 label does not indicate that a luminaire meets the zero clearance insulation cover or airtight certifi cation requirements in the Standards. Separate labels are required to show that a luminaire has been approved as meeting the zero clearance insulation cover requirements, and is certifi ed airtight according to ASTM E283.
Additionally, ALA has included information about the California Standards in several editions of their newsletters to members. As a result, a number of luminaire manufacturers have contacted the Energy Commission for additional information. Manufacturers around the country are getting ready to deliver compliant equipment (including air tight luminaires, electronic ballasts, and occupant sensors).
NKBA also partnered with the International Furnishings and Design Association and the American Society of Interior Designers to have Energy Commission staff present the residential lighting standards to design students at the 2005 Student Career Forum in San Francisco. |
Another breakthrough that helps make it easy for builders to comply with the 2005 lighting requirements took place when EPA updated the Energy Star® residential lighting specifications to match the new California residential lighting requirements. EPA released the Energy Star® Version 4.0 Residential Luminaire (lighting fixture) specifications on January 10, 2005. Energy Star® compliant luminaires must meet the new specifi cations, effective October 1, 2005, to coincide with the effective date for the 2005 California Standards. 
The American Lighting Association (ALA), a national association of lighting manufacturers, has actively supported industry preparation for the new California residential lighting requirements. ALA has invited Energy Commission staff to talk with a large number of lighting luminaire manufacturers through presentations at the ALA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, and at the Annual Engineering Committee meeting in Dallas, Texas. 
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), an organization of lighting designers that specialize in kitchen and bath lighting, also has sought to bring its members up-to-speed with the 2005 residential lighting requirements. Energy Commission staff gave a presentation to 160 designers through the NKBA Oakland Chapter. Energy Efficiency Standards Training Links for training on issues relating to California Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24, Part 6) is available on the Energy Commission’s website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/training |
For training offered by the utilities and other organizations please see the following websites: PG&E: http://www.pge.com/Stockton Residential Lighting Design Guide Best practices and lighting designs to help builders comply with California’s 2005 Title 24 energy code: http://www.cltc.ucdavis.edu/ |
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