2010 California Title 24 Updates

The new energy codes for California are out and are now being enforced throughout the state.  We recently took an update training class from our favorite Title 24 consultant and guru, Mark Madison of Energy Code Works, and thought we would share the information with you,  Below is our synopsis of the residential changes and requirements, for both lighting and ventilation.

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Download Summary of Title 24 Changes

A.    New Residential Lighting Requirements
Applies to new construction, additions, alterations, replacement of light fixtures (not just bulbs).  Does not apply to loose lighting (ie. table lamps) or lighting integral to appliances.

Requirements by zone
1. Kitchens
“A room or area used for food storage and preparation of washing dishes, including associated countertops and cabinets, refrigerator, stove and floor areas”
    a. 50% of total wattage must be high efficacy
    b. High and low efficacy must be switched separately
    c. Fixtures on any light switches in the kitchen must be counted
    d. Internal cabinetry accent lighting allowance of 20 watts per linear foot (horizontal or         vertical) of illuminated cabinet
    e.Additional allowance of 50watts for homes ≤2500 sf, or 100 watts for homes >2500 s.f. if:
        1. manual on vacancy sensor or dimmer in kitchen
        2. high efficiency luminares and vacancy sensors are installed in garages, laundry, closets, utility rooms.
    f.  For fixtures that can accommodate a variety of lamp wattages, use average wattage

         or highest wattage  if lamp installed is highest allowable.
    g. Blank electrical boxes in kitchens are calculated at 80 watts low efficacy.
    h. If you are remodeling a kitchen and adding some new fixtures, some old fixtures may need to be replaced to meet 50% rule.

2. Other Rooms #1 (bathrooms, garages, laundry, closets (under 70s.f.), utility rooms
    a. All fixtures must be high efficacy or controlled by a vacancy sensor (manual on, auto off)

3. Other Rooms #2 all other rooms (larger closets, bedrooms, living rooms, attics, enclosed patio (even if not heated), etc.
    a. All fixtures must be high efficacy with regular switching OR
    b. All fixtures must be on vacancy sensors or dimmers

4. Outdoor Lighting
Applies to lighting attached to a building (not landscape or pool lighting)
    a.  All fixtures must be high efficacy with regular switching OR
    b. All fixtures must be on manual on/off switch with motion sensor (with no override) and one of the following  three methods to turn lights off during the day:
        1. Photocontrol with no override or bypass switch/
        2. Astronomical time clock with no override or bypass switch.
        3. Energy Management Conrol System with no override that allows light to always be on.
        4. Temporary override feature for up to six hours is acceptable (section 119)
    c. Address signs, Section 148
        1. Option 1 - must be high efficacy OR maximum of 12 watts per square foot of sign area (internally  illuminated)     
        2. Option 2 – no screw based socket and not more than 5 watts of power

Miscellaneous Lighting Notes:
1.    Form CF-6R-LTG-1 must be completed (by electrical contractor ideally) and given to the inspector at the end  of  construction.
2.    Definition of High Efficacy (Table 150C), Dedicated pin type lamps only, no screw in.  Electronic ballasts for 13W or higher. LED fixtures must be C.E.C. certified (Table 6-2)
3.    Recessed fixtures in insulated ceilings must have IC rating, certified air tight (2CFM max) sealed with gaskets or caulk between housing and ceiling. Rating label must be inside can.

B. New Residential Ventilation Requirements based on Ashrae 62.2

For new homes and additions greater than 1000 square feet

1. All habitable rooms (not closets, laundry garage, etc.)  must have windows with ventilation, openable area to be a minimum of 4% of floor area, or 5 s.f. minimum.

2. Kitchens
    a. Range hoods must be 100 CFM minimum and vent to outside OR
    b. Wall fan to provide 5 air changes per hour.

3. Bathrooms (not powder rooms)
    a. Provide fan with 50 CFM minimum and vent to outside,

4. Laundry
    a. Clothes dryers must vent to outside

5. Garage
    a.    Walls between house and garage must be sealed

6. Equipment
    a. HVAC must use Merv 6 or higher filters
    b. For HVAC equipment in garages or ducts passing through a garage, entire duct system must be sealed and HERS tested and certified, CF-4R form completed by tester.
    c. Verify minimum duct sizes per Table 4-9 (calculate with diameter, length, elbows, type of duct)
    d. No more than 6% duct leakage.
    e. Air inlets for ventilation must be 9 feet minimum away from barbecues and other “dirty”sources.
    f. Combustion appliances and air systems are to be designed to prevent back drafting
    g. Continuously operating fans must have sound rating of 1 sone or less, intermittent fans, 3 sones or less.
    h. CF6R-MECH-05 Installation certificate must be completed.

7. Whole building mechanical ventilation
    a. Provide 1 CFM per 100 s.f. of floor area plus 7.5 CFM per occupant (# of bedrooms plus one person).                         Ventilation calculations must be provided and tested in field. There are three basic options:
        1.    Exhaust (generally the simplest and most cost effective) Continuously operating 50 CFM minimum (tends to negatively pressurize house and can lead to dust/bad IAQ)
        2.    Supply Provide outside air to plenum.  Tends to positively pressurize house, pushing conditioned air out.
        3.    Combination Supply/Exhaust (best solution, more expensive) Balanced system with heat exchanger to minimize energy losses.
    b. Provide override control for vacations, etc.
    c. Use continuous fans or intermittent fan with timer (intermittent fan will need to be upsized to provide same amount of exhaust).
    d. Verify air flow ratings for exhaust fans from manufacturer www.hvi.org

For further information and complete copy of code, see 
http://energy.ca.gov/title24/2008standards/index.html

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