Why Title 24?

The implementation of Title 24 is the direct result of the State of California’s growing demand and consumption of electricity.

The Result:

Making the right lighting choices in new construction in California, and in remodels, just got a lot more complicated, thanks to the new 2005 provisions that impact lighting in Title 24 of the state's Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Non-residential Buildings.

For Residential:

Any new homes, or the remodeled part of new homes that require building permits, will be subject to the new standards.

More energy-efficient lighting - which right now often means fluorescent lighting - will be required, as will dimmers and occupancy sensors.

Lights in bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms and outside, on the front porch, should be hard-wired for fluorescent. At least half the wattage in kitchens must be from high-efficacy lighting. Again, that means "fluorescent" today.

Residential rooms affected:

Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, garages, hallways, bedrooms, utility rooms and outdoor lighting.

What is the goal?

To save up to 75% of your electric consumption.

High-efficacy lighting is defined as:

- 15 watts or less: Minimum of 40 lumens/watt
- 15 to 40 watts: Minimum of 50 lumens/watt
- More than 40 watts: Minimum of 60 lumens/watt

It must not contain medium-based incandescent sockets, except for outdoor high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting containing an HID lamp and factory-installed, hardwired HID ballast and HID raised socket that meet minimum lumens/watt.

By the code's definition, virtually all pin-based fluorescent systems will qualify as meeting the residential lighting standards.

Whenever end users have the option of using an incandescent lamp in a fixture, that luminaire is considered to be "low efficacy."

High efficacy lighting systems must be operated on separate switch from incandescent or other low efficacy lighting systems.

For Non- Residential:

Disclaimer - This information should not be deemed complete and should not be relied upon as final. Please speak to a professional or call us before making a purchase. We are not responsible for ensuring your project meets title 24 standards or any losses resulting thereoff.

INTERIOR standards call for:

Skylights with daylighting controls in "big box" buildings;

Lower lighting power limits for interior lighting to encourage use of new efficient lighting technology;

Efficient electric lighting and control regulations for 'unconditioned' buildings, which include parking garages and warehouses.

EXTERIOR standards call for:

Specific requirements for outdoor lighting of nonresidential buildings, including parking lots, pedestrian areas, building entrances, service stations, ornamental lighting and areas under canopies;

Lighting power limits outdoors that vary by zone or by ambient lighting levels;

Glare-reduction cutoff luminaires are required for lamps with more than 175 watts. Luminaires with lamps greater than 60 watts must have high efficacy or motion sensor controls;

Outdoor lighting controls to reduce lighting levels by 50 percent when not in use.

Indoor and outdoor signs are also covered under the standards. Lighting power limits and efficient lighting sources are required for signs.

Want to learn more about Title 24's new provisions affecting lighting? The official word comes from the Title 24 home page from the California Energy Commission.