Energy Savings Residential Lighting in California. Title 24, What Is It? In order to decrease energy consumption, California has adopted a new energy code (Title 24) that significantly impacts lighting in new and remodeled homes. Q: Why is a dimmer ultimately "less expensive" than a switch, and how is it that a lighting control system pays for itself over time? A: Over time, a dimmer is less expensive because dimmers save electricity and extend lamp life (see chart below.) These factors reduce the time , effort and money in "re-lamping"." A lighting controls system can be seen as a positive investment in the home (adding significant value), and it contributes to the overall long-term comfort of those living in it. Often, it is this savings in time and effort associated with re-lamping (or hiring someone to re-lamp) that consumers value most. If you have expensive lamps worth $50 in hard-to-reach ceiling fixtures, and you extend their lives by a factor of 20 by dimming 50% consistently, you have just save $1,000 of expense.  When presented with this math, it beings to make a lot of sense from both a "dollar and cents" and a convenience standpoint.

It pays to meet this code.

In order to decrease energy consumption, California has adopted a new energy code (Title 24) that significantly impacts lighting in new and remodeled homes.

Beginning October 2005, all new and remodeled homes must incorporate energy efficient lighting and controls.

Depending on the room, these include:

• Dimmers
   

• Occupancy Sensors

  • Must be certified Title 24 compliant

  • Must be manual-on/automatic-off (can also be turned off manually)

  • Must turn off automatically in 30 minutes

  • Cannot be locked in a permanent "on" state
     

• High efficacy lights - fluorescent, compact fluorescent (CFL) or high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps

  • Fluorescent, CFL, and HID lights must not have a medium screw base socket

  • Lamps rated 13 watts or greater must have an electronic ballast
     

Room Requirements

Living room, bedroom, family room, and hallway

• Dimmers or

• Occupancy sensors

• Fluorescent lights

Benefits
Lutron dimmers create the perfect light for entertaining, relaxing, conversation, or safety.

 

Kitchen

• Fluorescent lighting - at least 50% of installed wattage must be from fluorescent, CFL of HID lights (13 watts or grater require an electronic ballast)

• Incandescent lighting - up to 50% of installed wattage may be incandescent lighting if switched separtely

• Dimmers - pair with incandescent lighting as an upgrade from a standard switch

Benefits
Lutron dimmers create romantic mood lighting, neutral light for family meals and task lighting for preparation and cleanup.

 

Other places - bathrooms, utility rooms, garages, laundry rooms

• Requirements
  • Fluorescent lighting or
  • occupancy sensors
    
     

Exterior lights -attached to building

• Requirements
  • Fluorescent lighting or
  • Incandescent lighting combined with photo/motion sensor

Benefits of Dimmers   "cost of compliance" - Compared to fluorescent lighting, dimmers and occupancy sensors are the most affordable option. Fluorescent fixtures cost at least 2 times more than dimmers and occupancy sensors. Some fluorescents fixtures require special mounting hardware or expensive lamps that increase costs. 'speed of installation' - Lutron dimmers are the quickest way to comply with code. Simply use a dimmer in place of switches in new home construction.  For remodeling applications dimmers replace switches, uses existing wiring, uses existing light fixtures, no need to cut holes in ceiling for installation of florescent light, does not require calibration - unlike occupancy sensors. 'versatility of installation' - dimmers and fluorescent lighting work with existing switch locations. Occupancy sensors must be installed in the line-traffic. 'energy savings' - Dimmers save energy and extend bulb life 9energy chart). Fluorescent lighting saves energy. Occupancy sensors only save money if the lights were left on inadvertently. 'ambiance' - Dimmers are the only option that allows you to create ambiance to your home. Dimmers can create the right light for every room and activity.

Energy Savings and lamp life benefits

JT SMARTHOMES

Creating Ambient Intelligence™

Copyright [2008], JT Smarthomes,   Creating Ambient Intelligence™. All rights reserved