California Title 24 Lighting Legislation

California recently mandated Title 24 legislation for lighting application for all new building projects, introducing new energy efficiency standards for residential use.

Title 24 limits the use of standard medium base bulbs in new construction and encourages the use of electronic ballast lightbulbs. All fixtures recessed must be certified airtight and sealed and IC (insulation contact) rated. High efficiency fixtures must be switched separately from regular incandescent fixtures.

At least half of the wattages in kitchen fixtures must be high efficiency. All permanent fixtures in residential homes must be high efficiency or controlled by a manual on/automatic off occupant sensor or dimmer.

Outdoor fixtures attached to a building must be high efficiency or be controlled by both a photocell and motion sensor. Residential buildings with four or more dwelling units must be high efficienty or be controlled by an occupant sensor. Residential parking lots and garages built for eight or more vehicles must meet the 2005 nonresidential standards. Wattages higher then 175 watts are required to have automatic shut-off controls, multi level switching and fixutre cut-off.

Regulations are expected to become widespread. Energy is so expensive today that other states are starting to follow California's lead and set their own standards for limiting energy use. Cost effective improvements and products many homes could save 20% to 30% on their hosehold energy bills.

Light-emitting diodes (LED) have generated a lot of interest and speculation. Technology are just starting to catch up for residential use in remote controls. Mostly because they do not emit as much light and have higher prices. LED lighting can cost more than 10 times the amount of regular incandescent but last 20% to 50% longer with twice the energy efficiency.

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