The 2025 California Energy Code (Title 24) clarifies lighting and control requirements for single-family residential buildings. Here is a summary of the lighting changes:
§ 110.9: Lighting Controls and Components. All lighting control devices and systems, light sources, and luminaires must meet the applicable requirements of §110.9.
§ 150.0(k)1A: Luminaire Efficacy. All installed luminaires and light sources must meet the requirements of Reference Joint Appendix JA8, except lighting integral to exhaust fans, kitchen range hoods, bath vanity mirrors, and garage door openers; navigation lighting less than 5 watts; lighting internal to drawers, cabinets, and linen closets with an efficacy of at least 45 lumens per watt; and ceiling fan kits subject to DOE’s Appliance and Equipment Standards.
§ 150.0(k)1C: Recessed Downlight Luminaires in Ceilings. Luminaires recessed into ceilings must not contain screw-based sockets, be airtight with air leakage rate < 2.0 cfm at 75 Pascals, and leak paths be sealed with a gasket or caulk. California Electrical Code Article 410.116 must also be met.
§ 150.0(k)1D: Light Sources in Enclosed or Recessed Luminaires. Lamps and other separable light sources installed in enclosed or recessed luminaires must meet the JA8 elevated temperature requirements, including marking requirements.
§ 150.0(k)1E: Blank Electrical Boxes. The number of electrical boxes that are more than five feet above the finished floor and do not contain a luminaire or other device shall be no more than the number of bedrooms. These boxes must be served by a dimmer, vacancy sensor control, low voltage wiring, or fan speed control.
§ 150.0(k)2A: Indoor Lighting Controls. Lighting must have readily accessible wall-mounted controls that allow the lighting to be manually turned on and off.
§ 150.0(k)2D: Controls Permitted. An energy management control system (EMCS) may be used to comply with dimming, occupancy, and control requirements if it provides the functionality of the specified control per §110.9 and the physical controls specified in §150.0(k)2A. Controls must not bypass a dimmer, occupant sensor, or vacancy sensor function installed to comply with §150.0(k)2.
§ 150.0(k)2E: Automatic Shutoff Controls. In bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, utility rooms and walk-in closets, at least one installed luminaire must be controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor providing automatic-off functionality. Lighting inside drawers and cabinets with opaque fronts or doors must have controls that turn the light off when the drawer or door is closed.
§ 150.0(k)2F: Dimmers. Lighting in habitable spaces (e.g., living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms) must have readily accessible wall-mounted dimming controls that allow the lighting to be manually adjusted up and down, except lighting integral to kitchen range hoods and bathroom exhaust fans, navigation lighting less than 5 watts, lighting internal to drawers, cabinetry with opaque fronts or doors and controlled by automatic-off controls, luminaires in a circuit with controlled lighting power less than 20 watts or controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor. Forward phase cut dimmers controlling LED light sources in these spaces must comply with NEMA SSL 7A. Lighting integrated with ceiling fan may be controlled via a remote control.
§ 150.0(k)2G: Independent Controls. Lighting integral to exhaust fans shall be controlled independently from the fans. Lighting under cabinets or shelves, lighting in display cabinets, and switched outlets must be controlled separately from ceiling-installed lighting.
§ 150.0(k)3: Residential Outdoor Lighting. Outdoor lighting permanently mounted to a single-family residential building or other buildings on the same lot must meet luminaire efficacy requirements of §150.0(k)1A, have a manual on/off switch and either a photocell and motion sensor, a photocell and automatic time switch, or an astronomical time clock. Controls that override to ON are not allowed, unless that override automatically returns the automatic control to its normal operation within 6 hours. An EMCS or other controls that provides the specified control functionality may be used but must meet all applicable requirements.
§ 150.0(k)4: Internally Illuminated Address Signs must either comply with §140.8 or consume no more than 5 watts of power.
§ 150.0(k)5: Residential Garages for Eight or More Vehicles. Lighting for residential parking garages for eight or more vehicles must comply with the applicable requirements for nonresidential garages in §§ 110.9, 130.0, 130.1, 130.4, 140.6, and 141.0.
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