What is California’s Title 24 and how does it relate to Lighting?

Feb 25, 2023

California's Title 24 is a set of energy efficiency standards for buildings in California, which includes requirements for lighting systems. The goal of Title 24 is to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving the quality of indoor environments and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

Specifically, Title 24 includes requirements for lighting controls, lighting power density, and lighting quality. These requirements apply to both residential and nonresidential buildings, and cover both indoor and outdoor lighting systems.

Some of the key lighting-related requirements of Title 24 include:

  1. Lighting controls: Title 24 requires the use of lighting controls such as occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and time-based controls to ensure that lighting systems are only used when needed.

  2. Lighting power density: Title 24 sets maximum lighting power density limits for different types of spaces, based on their use and size. This helps to ensure that lighting systems are designed and installed with the appropriate level of lighting for the space.

  3. Lighting quality: Title 24 includes requirements for lighting quality, such as color rendering index (CRI) and correlated color temperature (CCT), to ensure that lighting systems provide adequate light levels and a comfortable visual environment.

Overall, Title 24 is an important set of regulations for promoting energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings in California, and it has a significant impact on the design and implementation of lighting systems in these buildings. Compliance with Title 24 is required for all new construction and major renovations in California.