Energy Codes,Rebates & Incentives

California Title 24 2016 - Overview

Since 1978, all new and altered buildings in California are required to meet the minimum efficiency standards defined in California Title 24, Part 6, of the California Energy Commission energy efficiency code.

These standards, which are regarded as the most stringent of all energy codes, were adopted in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption. They help conserve electricity and natural gas and prevent the state from having to build more power plants.

ln fact, Title 24 has saved Californians more than $74 billion in reduced electricity bills since 1978. California's per capita electricity usage has stayed largely flat since the mid-70s, largely due to the Title 24 energy efficiency standard, while the average American's went up by 50% (see graph below).
Source: California Energy Commission

The 2016 version of the standard will be effective on January 1, 2017. All newly constructed or altered commercial and residential buildings in the state of California must comply with the 2016 standard, including all the mandatory lighting control requirements.

What are the new lighting requirements in the Title 24 2016 Standard?


The biggest changes in the commercial lighting arena are:
  • Lower lighting power densities
  • Multilevel lighting control requirements simplified
  • Occupancy control requirements modified
  • Less stringent control requirements for existing building lighting alterations

The biggest changes in the residential lighting arena are:
  • All lighting must be high efficacy
  • Tougher qualification requirements for high efficacy light sources (JA8 complaint lights)
  • Simplified lighting and control requirements

To view all the mandatory lighting control requirements, along with Lutron solutions to help meet them, click on the appropriate link below:

Title 24 2016 Residential Lighting Control Requirements
Title 24 2016 Commercial Lighting Control Requirements

Back to top