January 1st, 2023 was the effective date for the new 2022 version of California’s Title 24
Energy Code, which brings updates to the Title 24, Part 6 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
Important changes related to lighting controls in the non-residential code:
New mandatory requirements for demand management include a trigger for demand-
responsive lighting controls based on lighting wattage, not floor area size. The new trigger
wattage of > 4,000W of lighting is a major change from the previous trigger of 10,000 sq. feet in
the 2019 code. Demand response signals must be capable of automatically reducing the general
lighting loads per the state’s specification. In addition, the receptacles will need to be connected
to the demand response system.
New mandatory requirements also include occupant-sensing controls for lighting in office
spaces greater than 250 sq. ft. Additional requirements for controls in these office spaces include
specific control zone sizes no larger than 600 sq. ft. but allows luminaires with integral occupant-
sensing controls (luminaires integrated with luminaire level lighting controls / LLLC) to be
considered their own control zone. This language will likely lead to wider adoption of luminaires
containing LLLC by installers.
Emphasizing the advantages of LLLC to meet lighting controls code requirements, Chris
Primous, VP of Business Development and Sales with LiteTrace stated, “The increasing
complexity of lighting requirements such as the new mandatory controls specifications in the
T24 2022 code will make it easier and less complex for installers to use luminaires with
integrated controls to help simplify their project installation and commissioning.” Primous
added, “The setup of these sensors, many of which combine occupant-sensing with daylight
harvesting, can now be done quite easily with a computer or phone APP to set any particular
buildings code’s shutoff time, dimming, or other requirements. Once the option of control is in
most of the site’s luminaires, facility managers will also see important advantages in being able
to configure and expand the controlled spaces with software instead of rewiring.”
To address the new Demand Response requirements in the latest T24 code, LiteTrace has
released their CR04 Inter-op bridge which enables LiteTrace’s Bluetooth® wireless Keilton®
control components to connect to third-party Open ADR systems for compliance with
California’s new requirements.
LiteTrace also offers controllable receptacles and numerous sensors in their Keilton
brand that can be used within luminaires, creating LLLC to easily meet the new occupancy
sensor requirements. Luminaire manufacturers, installers, retrofitters, and contractors can learn
more about these products ready to help projects in California meet Title 24 2022 by visiting:
www.LiteTrace.com.
