California Energy Alliance Code Change for Lighting Control Requirements Adopted by California Energy Commission

California's Energy Code is updated every three years. The 2019 update is designed to improve the energy efficiency of regulated newly constructed residential and nonresidential buildings, building additions and building alterations. The 2019 Standards are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2020. “Existing buildings represent a vast, untapped opportunity to achieve energy and carbon savings in California,” observes Cori Jackson, CEA member and primary author of the code change proposal. “Reducing the impact of lighting, which consumes between 20 and 30 percent of all commercial building energy use, is key to meeting California's savings goals.”

CEA’s code change proposal includes simplified language with reduced application and/or project-specific requirements; an easy-to-understand energy savings option for small buildings and tenant spaces; and a universal compliance threshold and set of exemptions. In accepting the proposal, the CEC notes that the proposed measures appear cost effective and appropriately evaluated according to the CEC’s life cycle cost methodology. Moreover, the CEC states the CEA findings related to costs and energy savings appear reasonable and appropriate.

Complete information regarding the rulemaking process is available at http://energy.ca.gov/title24/2019standards/rulemaking/

The CEA meets regularly to explore topics related to energy use, building energy standards and related initiatives that will assist California in improving its energy landscape and catalyzing its migration toward a Zero Net Energy future.

Interested in learning more? Visit https://CAEnergyAlliance.org