January 1st, 2023, is the effective date for the new 2022 version of California’s Title 24 Energy Code, which updates the Title 24, Part 6 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Significant changes related to lighting controls in the non-residential code
New mandatory requirements for demand management include a trigger for demand-responsive lighting controls based on lighting wattage, not floor area size. The new trigger wattage of > 4,000W of lighting significantly changed from the previous trigger of 10,000 sq. feet in the 2019 code. Demand response signals must be capable of automatically reducing the general lighting loads per the state’s specification. In addition, the receptacles will need to be connected to the demand response system.
New mandatory requirements include occupant-sensing controls for lighting in office spaces more significant than 250 sq. ft. Additional requirements for controls in these office spaces include specific control zone sizes no larger than 600 sq. ft. Still. It allows luminaires with integral occupant-sensing controls (luminaires integrated with luminaire level lighting controls / LLLC) to be considered their own control zone. This language will likely lead to the broader adoption of luminaires containing LLLC by installers.
Emphasizing the advantages of LLLC to meet lighting controls code requirements, Chris Primous, VP of Business Development and Sales with LiteTrace, stated, “The increasing complexity of lighting requirements such as the new mandatory controls specifications in the T24 2022 code will make it easier and less complex for installers to use
luminaires with integrated controls to help simplify their project installation and commissioning.” Primous added, “The setup of these sensors, many of which combine occupant-sensing with daylight harvesting, can now be done quite easily with a computer or phone APP to set any particular buildings code’s shutoff time, dimming, or other requirements. Once the option of control is in most of the site’s luminaires, facility managers will also see important advantages in being able to configure and expand the controlled spaces with software instead of rewiring.”
To address the new Demand Response requirements in the latest T24 code, LiteTrace has released their CR04 Inter-op bridge which enables LiteTrace’s Bluetooth® wireless Keilton® control components to connect to third-party Open ADR systems for compliance with California’s new requirements.
LiteTrace also offers controllable receptacles and numerous sensors in their Keilton brand that can be used within luminaires, creating LLLC to easily meet the new occupancy sensor requirements. Luminaire manufacturers, installers, retrofitters, and contractors can learn more about these products ready to help projects in California meet Title 24 2022 by contacting chrisprimous@litetrace.com or visiting www.LiteTrace.com.
