Current Title 24 Building code requirements call for use of high-efficacy lighting in a limited number of residential space types. Builders are allowed to install low efficacy lighting if they also install dimming controls. However, significant load reduction and energy savings over current code-compliant designs can be achieved through the use of All High-Efficacy (AHE) lighting design practices.
Linear fluorescent lamps account for 83 percent of installed lamps in the California commercial sector per a lighting market characterization performed in 2014. LED lighting products are receiving attention for their potential to replace fluorescent lighting, reduce energy use and improve lighting quality in a variety of indoor commercial applications, including offices, classrooms and retail stores. LED alternatives to linear fluorescent lighting products fall into three main categories: linear retrofit lamp solutions, linear retrofits for troffers and dedicated luminaires.
As light emitting diode (LED) MR16 lamps become more prevalent in the commercial market, both residential and commercial end‐users are considering these lamps as replacements for currently installed halogen incandescent MR16 sources. While the energy savings associated with LED lamp replacements is evident, the compatibility of LED MR16 lamps with existing electrical hardware is not. In one‐to‐one lamp retrofits, MR16 LED lamps often demonstrate negative performance characteristics such as visible flicker and audible humming.
The California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at the University of California, Davis announces the publication of five downloadable lighting design guides to help builders, contractors, and other lighting industry professionals meet or exceed California’s 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6).
Lighting projects that involve updating CFL lighting systems should consider all viable retrofit options. When retrofitting between CFL four-pin lamps and LED solutions, it is important to observe safety precautions and consider performance variables.
The California Lighting Technology Center’s Retail Lighting Guide is designed to educate builders, lighting designers, contractors and others about the retail nonresidential lighting portion of California’s 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6).
LD+A— Core sunlighting is a practical, natural alternative for interior illumination deep within a building. Unlike other solar technologies, core sunlighting involves capturing sunlight at the building envelope, concentrating it, transporting it and regulating its release deep within the building at useful indoor lighting levels, typically only 1 percent of outdoor illumination. Significant electrical energy savings can be realized if the system incorporates automated electric lighting controls that substantially dim or completely turn off the electric lights.
The IES's Recommended Practice for Daylighting Buildings (RP-5-13) recently garnered an award at Lightfair International 2014. The Recommended Practice guide was selected for top honors in the "Research, Publications, Software and Measuring Devices" category.
Fluorescent lamps currently constitute 80 percent of lamps installed in the U.S. commercial sector, according to the Department of Energy's latest Lighting Market Characterization report. LED lighting products are receiving a great deal of attention for their potential to replace fluorescent lighting, reduce energy use and improve lighting quality in a variety of indoor commercial applications, including offices, classrooms and retail stores.
