01/25/2026
California's Title 24 energy code mandates high-efficacy LED lighting, advanced automatic controls (occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting), lower Lighting Power Density (LPD) limits, and demand response readiness for most residential and commercial projects to significantly reduce energy consumption, requiring specific controls for daylit zones, dimming, and outdoor lighting. Compliance involves using efficient fixtures (high lumens/watt), smart controls like sensors and dimmers, and meeting strict LPD targets, with acceptance testing often required.
Key Requirements
High Efficacy Lighting: Use advanced LEDs with specific efficacy (lumens per watt) and low flicker, often requiring ENERGY STAR certification or JA8 compliance.
Automatic Controls:
Vacancy Sensors: Required in many smaller rooms, offices, and even warehouse aisles.
Daylight Harvesting: Automatic dimming controls for skylit and sidelit zones to adjust light levels with natural daylight.
Time Switches/Schedules: For controlling outdoor and sign lighting, turning them off during daytime.
Lighting Power Density (LPD): Strict limits on the amount of power (watts) allowed per square foot, driving efficiency.
Dimming & Zoning: Multi-level lighting and dimming controls (e.g., 10-100%) are required in many non-residential spaces to allow flexibility.
Demand Response: Buildings over 10,000 sq ft need controls that can reduce lighting load by 15% when signaled by the utility.
Outdoor Lighting: Must use photocells/motion sensors, have cutoff fixtures, and control uplight to reduce light pollution.
Compliance Steps
Design with High-Efficacy Fixtures: Select LEDs meeting efficacy and flicker standards (JA8).
Incorporate Controls: Add sensors, dimmers, and daylight harvesting as required by space type.
Calculate LPD: Ensure your lighting power density stays below code limits.
Get Certification: Use certified products and have a technician perform acceptance testing.
Note: Requirements vary between residential and non-residential buildings, and codes are updated periodically (e.g., 2022, 2025). Always check the latest California Energy Code.
What is Title 24 and how do you make sure your lighting complies with it?
Feb 17, 2022 — 1. Wattage compliance and lighting controls. Because Title 24 is focused on saving energy across the state of California
Apr 25, 2022 — Title 24 requires an automatic control device to reduce or turn off the lighting when a space is vacant or unoccupied.
