Energy & Sustainability

Codes & Standards for US & Canada

Building Energy codes and standards play a key role in helping reduce energy consumption and improve performance in today’s buildings. These codes and standards provide mandatory requirements for new construction as well as major renovations. If you’re looking for increased efficiency and performance, numerous green building rating systems also exist in addition to the mandatory codes and standards.

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Find commercial and residential building lighting and receptacle control requirements for your state or province*



* This website summarizes the lighting and receptacle control requirements for commercial and residential buildings. It is for information purposes only. It is not meant to replace your state’s, province’s or local jurisdiction’s official energy code. Please refer to your local building energy code or authority having jurisdiction for your precise requirements. Only the authority having jurisdiction can guarantee code compliance.

ASHRAE 90.1 Lutron Resources

The resources listed below provide suggested, code compliant solutions based on total installed cost, simplicity of design, and basic functional needs for the space. The solutions provided below represent one of multiple compliant options to meeting lighting and receptacle control requirements. These solutions are based on Lutron’s interpretation of the energy code and are not meant to replace your state’s, province’s or local jurisdiction’s official energy code.

Application Summaries Application Guides
2019 2019
2016 2016
2013 2013
2010 2010
2007


ASHRAE 90.1 Yearly Comparison Chart

Applies to New Construction Applies to New Construction & Retrofits
2007 2010 2013 2016 2019
Local Control
Bilevel or Multilevel Control
Scheduled Shutoff
Occupancy Sensor
Restricted to Manual ON
Restricted to Partial Automatic ON
Automatic Partial OFF
Automatic Full OFF
Occupancy Sensor Timeout 30 min 30 min 20 min 20 min
Daylight Responsive Control
Receptacle Control*
Guest room Control Manual Manual Automatic Automatic
For more information on each of the control strategies listed in this table, please refer to the application summaries shown above this table.

*Required in new construction and in retrofits when receptacles are modified as part of the retrofit.

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) jointly sponsor the ASHRAE/ IESNA Standard 90.1, “Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings." An updated version of ASHRAE 90.1 is released every three years. The latest version is ASHRAE 90.1-2016. Lutron actively participates in the development of this standard by not only advocating for increased energy efficiency, but also voicing the opinions and concerns of our customers.

IECC Lutron Resources

The resources listed below provide suggested, code compliant solutions based on total installed cost, simplicity of design, and basic functional needs for the space. The solutions provided below represent one of multiple compliant options to meeting lighting and receptacle control requirements. These solutions are based on Lutron’s interpretation of the energy code and are not meant to replace your state’s, province’s or local jurisdiction’s official energy code.

Application Summaries Application Guides
2021 2021
2018 2018
2015 2015
2012 2012
2009


IECC Yearly Comparison Chart

Applies to New Construction & Lighting Retrofits
2009 2012 2015 2018
Manual Control
Light Reduction Control
Time-Switch Controls
Occupancy Sensor Control
Restricted to Manual ON
Restricted to Partial Automatic ON
Automatic Full OFF
Occupancy Sensor Timeout 30 min 30 min 20 min
Daylight Responsive Control
Manual
Automatic
Guest room Control Manual Manual Automatic Automatic
For more information on each of the control strategies listed in this table, please refer to the application summaries shown above this table.

International Energy Conservation Code

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is part of the “I-Codes” produced by the International Code Council (ICC). An updated version of the IECC is released every three years. The latest version is IECC 2018. Lutron actively participates in the development of this standard by not only advocating for increased energy efficiency, but also voicing the opinions and concerns of our customers.

California Title 24 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. In 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%.

The "Rosenfeld Curve." The per capita electricity consumption in California compared to the rest of the United States.

The 2022 version of the standard became effective on January 1, 2023. All newly constructed or altered commercial and residential buildings in the state of California must comply with the 2022 standard, including all the mandatory lighting control requirements.

What are the new lighting requirements in the Title 24 2022 Standard?

The biggest changes in the commercial lighting arena are:

  • Demand responsive lighting controls required when more than 4,000 watts of installed lighting power is installed (used to be for buildings more than 10,000 sq. ft.).
  • Automatically controlled receptacles must also be capable of responding to a demand response signal.
  • Partial-off or full-off lighting in open office zones.
  • Secondary zone for daylight responsive controls now mandatory for all projects, not only those pursuing prescriptive compliance path.
  • Lower lighting power allowances (i.e., LPDs).
  • New sections for multifamily projects.

The biggest changes in the residential lighting arena are:

  • Life testing has been removed from the Joint Appendix 8 requirements for high efficacy light sources.
  • Walk-in closets need an occupancy or vacancy sensor. Plus, no longer need to initially configure occupancy sensors to vacancy mode.
  • Lighting in opaque drawers/cabinets shall have controls that turn off lights when drawer/door is closed.
  • Habitable spaces (living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms…) require dimmers.
  • Separate control of ceiling lighting from under-cabinet lighting.
  • New section for multifamily projects.


Residential Summary

CA Title 24 Residential Lighting Requirements Summary

Starting January 1, 2023, California Title 24 will require the following in all new residential construction and renovation requiring a permit:
  • All lighting (with few exceptions) shall be high efficacy and comply with JA8 (Joint Appendix 8).1
  • An occupancy sensor must be installed to control lights in bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, walk-in closets, and utility rooms.
  • Lighting in habitable spaces, including but not limited to living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, shall have readily accessible wall-mounted dimming controls with an exception for luminaires connected to a circuit with controlled lighting power less than 20 watts or controlled by an occupancy 2

1 Title 24 Joint Appendix 8 (JA8) Qualification Requirements for High Luminous Efficacy Light Sources not only ensures high efficacy lights but also iency, niceexcellent color rendering, 10% dimming, quick start time, and low levels of audible noise and flicker.

2Dimmers and LED lighting must comply with NEMA SSL 7A which ensures the dimmer and LED light work together. Click here to see the Lutron NEMA SSL 7A Dimmer Compliance List.


Commercial Summary

California Title 24 - Commercial

California was among the first states to adopt building standards as a way to regulate energy consumption, in the form of Title 24.

Since its inception, the scope of this code's standards has increased. The latest version of these standards, Title 24 2022, became effective on January 1, 2023, and apply to all newly constructed or altered buildings.

Lutron offers several solutions to help comply with the new standards' lighting control requirements. From stand-alone vacancy sensors to an entire building control system, Lutron has a solution for any size project and budget.


For Lutron control solution information by application, please view the Title 24 2022 Application Guide and Title 24 2022 Quick Reference Guide.
Title 24 2022 Quick Reference Guide
Title 24 2022 Lutron Application Guide



For Additional Information

Call the California Energy Commission (CEC):
Inside California +1.800.772.3300
Outside California +1.916.654.5106

Visit the CEC website at
www.energy.ca.gov/title24


Disclaimer: This website summarizes the CA Title 24 2022 lighting control requirements for residential and commercial buildings. It is for information purposes only. For complete and precise details refer to the California Title 24 2022 Building Energy Efficacy Standards.

Source of Rosenfeld Curve diagram: Saundry, Peter. (2019). Review of the United States energy system in transition. Energy, Sustainability and Society. 9. 10.1186/s13705-018-0178-8.

NECB

The resources listed below provide suggested, code compliant solutions based on total installed cost, simplicity of design, and basic functional needs for the space. The solutions provided below represent one of multiple compliant options to meeting lighting and receptacle control requirements. These solutions are based on Lutron’s interpretation of the energy code and are not meant to replace your state’s, province’s or local jurisdiction’s official energy code.

Application Summaries Application Guides
2017 2015
2015
2011

Light Controls for Sustainable Design

Today's innovative buildings are designed to be sustainable, flexible and energy efficient. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) administers to provide a national standard for what constitutes a green building. LEED offers scientific performance criteria and a point system for LEED project certification. Many businesses have programs to ensure all their facilities are LEED compliant, through new construction and renovation programs. Lutron offers leading-edge product solutions for integrated control of electric lighting and daylight, and unsurpassed project support.


Lutron solutions may contribute to obtaining numerous points in LEED v4 for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED v4) credit categories. To achieve LEED certification, a minimum of 40 points is required. Lutron lighting control can contribute toward attaining important LEED certification points in six of the seven credit categories. See Lutron’s LEED v4 Brochure.



Sustainable Sites

Eliminate light trespass from the site and building, improve night sky access, and reduce your development's impact on nocturnal environments. Use window treatments and switching to keep lighting within the building, which prevents light pollution at night. Reduce light levels and reach acceptable uniformity ratios by dimming lights.

Lutron Solutions
  • Dimming and switching systems
  • Integration of controllable window treatments
  • Astronomical timeclock scheduling
  • Occupancy sensors

Energy & Atmosphere

Outfitting your project with lighting controls helps reduce the negative environmental effects associated with excessive energy usage. Using lighting control can conserve 60% or more in lighting energy and 20% or more in HVAC energy. Lutron systems provide many energy-saving strategies. To garner the maximum points this category provides, Lutron controls are critical.

Lutron Solutions
  • Dimming and switching systems
  • Integration of controllable window treatments
  • Astronomical timeclock scheduling
  • "Tune-to-task" management of high-end light levels
  • Daylight harvesting
  • Occupancy sensors

Indoor Environmental Quality

LEED also evaluates your project's internal environment. In multi-occupant spaces, provisions must be made for high level HVAC and lighting system controls. These controls promote comfort, productivity, and well being amongst the building's occupants.


You can also provide a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views to the outside into the regularly occupied areas of the building.


Lutron Solutions
  • Personal control of light
  • "Tune-to-task" management of high-end light levels
  • Occupancy sensors
  • Integration of controllable window treatments
  • Daylight harvesting
  • Astronomical timeclock scheduling

Innovation & Design Process

Provide design teams and projects the opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by LEED. Lutron project teams will help you implement your innovative ideas by incorporating the latest lighting controls into your design.




Visit the USGBC website

Living Building ChallengeSM

Many building rating systems today are focused on reducing a building’s negative impact on the environment. The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a certification tool managed by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) which promotes projects to become truly regenerative and leave a positive impact on the environment. The Living Building Challenge contains seven Petals, or categories comprised of multiple Imperatives, or requirements (20 in total). The Petals that make up the LBC include Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty.


The Living Building Challenge contains three types of certification:
  • Living Certification – meeting all imperatives assigned to the project typology: new buildings, renovations, or landscape/infrastructure.
  • Petal Certification – attaining at least three of the seven Petals by meeting all Imperatives within each Petal.
  • Net Zero Energy Certification – supplying 100% of a building’s net annual energy demand through on-site renewable sources, without combustion. Imperatives: 01 Limits to Growth, 06 Net Positive Energy (reduced to 100%), 19 Beauty + Spirit, and 20 Inspiration + Education must be met.

Lutron lighting and shade controls can contribute toward meeting imperatives within three of the seven Petal categories.

The Living Building Challenge standard along with each of the Petal Handbooks, detailing the requirements of each Imperative including any applicable exceptions, and detailed documentation requirements can be found on the ILFI website.


Net Positive Energy

All projects required to meet this imperative must utilize renewable energy sources as well as energy storage for resiliency. To accomplish this, 105% of the projects net annual energy needs must be supplied by on-site renewable energy. One way to help achieve this is through the reduction of the building or site’s energy demand. Using lighting controls can conserve up to 60% or more in lighting energy and 20% or more in HVAC energy when used in coordination with automated shading controls. Lutron systems provide many energy-saving strategies to help make this imperative easier to achieve.

Lutron Solutions
  • Dimming and switching systems
  • Integration of controllable window treatments
  • Astronomical timeclock scheduling
  • Daylight harvesting
  • Occupancy sensors

Healthy Indoor Environment

This Imperative is focused around good indoor air quality for occupants. It requires each project to create a Healthy Interior Environment Plan explaining how the project will achieve and maintain a healthy interior environment. One part of this Imperative involves compliance with CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010. This standard targets products and materials holding the potential to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many Lutron shade fabrics are UL Greenguard Gold certified, which is one of the possible methods to comply with this requirement.

Lutron Solutions
  • Integration of controllable window treatments

Red List

Projects are required to avoid using products that have a negative impact on human health and the ecosystem. The Red List contains materials and chemicals to avoid when specifying products for a project that is required to meet this Imperative. Small electrical components may be exempt from these requirements if they are RoHS compliant. Many RoHS-compliant Lutron products can be used to help meet this Imperative.

Lutron Solutions
  • Check with Lutron for details on products that are RoHS compliant

Visit the ILFI website

What is the WELL Building Standard?

The WELL Building Standard is a performance based standard that focuses exclusively on human health and wellness as it relates to the built environment.

WELL is grounded in science and evidence based design. WELL Certified spaces may help create a built environment that improves the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns and performance of its occupants.

Lutron lighting fixtures, lighting controls, and automated shades can play an essential role in meeting many of the provisions of the standard.


WELL Certification

Certification starts with seven concepts that influence human behaviors and define a wellness-focused environment: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Under these concepts there are “features” or provisions which have requirements to be met. Some features are mandatory “preconditions”. Others are optional “optimizations”. There are three levels of WELL Certification: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Silver level certification is achieved by meeting 100 percent of the WELL preconditions applicable to the project type in all concepts. Gold level certification is achieved by meeting all of the WELL preconditions, as well as 40 percent or more of the optimization features. Platinum level certification is achieved by meeting all of the WELL preconditions, as well as 80 percent or more of the optimization features.


Lutron Solutions Support Many Preconditions and Optimizations in the WELL Standard

Light fixture selection, lighting controls, and window shades play a role in all preconditions and most optimizations in the WELL Light concept. A smart, integrated lighting and shade control solution can specifically help achieve precondition features in Visual Lighting Design (#53), Circadian Lighting Design (#54), and Solar Glare Control (#56), and is essential for optimization features in Automated Shading and Dimming Controls (#60) and Daylight Modeling (#62). Plus, Lutron lighting and shading solutions can contribute to features in the Comfort, Mind, and Innovation concepts. See table below.


Concept Area (P)Precondition
(O)Optimization
Feature
Air P 4. VOC Reduction
Light P 53. Visual Lighting Design
P 54. Circadian Lighting Design
P 55. Electric Light Glare Control
P 56. Solar Glare Control
O 58. Color Quality
O 60. Automated Shading and Dimming Controls
O 62. Daylight Modeling
Comfort P 74. Exterior Noise Intrusion
Mind P 88. Biophilia I – Qualitative
Innovation O 101 to 105. Innovation Features


Achieving both WELL and LEED Platinum certifications – rising to the challenge
The ASID project set a very high bar for sustainable, wellness-oriented, energy efficient lighting design. The design helped to achieve all the lighting Features in the WELL Light Concept with the exception of daylight fenestration. By including automated shades that used a sheer, GreenScreen Evolve low VOC emitting fabric, ASID was able to use the shade fabric to help meet the mandatory preconditions for Feature #4: VOC reduction, Feature #74: Exterior Noise Intrusion (shades can help reduce the sound coming in through the windows), and Feature #88: Biophilia (shades can preserve the views to the outside which helps provide a connection to nature for the building occupants).


Ultimately, the ASID headquarters met the stringent requirements of both WELL and LEED certifications, with the integrated lighting and shading control system contributing in three WELL concepts and four LEED categories, including almost all the energy efficiency points.

Visit the WELL Building Standard