Update: On September 26, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) named the ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2013 energy standard as the new national energy reference standard, superseding the 2010 version in effect until then. Within two years, all states in the United States must put into effect a commercial building energy code at least as stringent as […]
Outdoor Lighting Controls: The State of the Art
Outdoor lighting controls is undergoing a mini-revolution that offers new design and selling opportunities while challenging electrical professionals to stay on top of technological change. Traditionally, outdoor lighting control was relatively simple. A typical scheme featured a controller providing automatic ON/OFF based on time of day (using an astronomical time switch) or daylight (photosensor). The […]
ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 or Equivalent Adopted in 11 States
ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010, IECC 2012 or an equivalent commercial building energy code has been adopted in 11 states, according to EnergyCodes.gov, the energy codes website produced by the Department of Energy. A DOE ruling required all states to certify they had an energy code in place at least as stringent as ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 by October of […]
Illuminating Engineering Society Publishes LEM-7 Guide to Energy-Saving Lighting Controls
The Illuminating Engineering Society, in partnership with the Lighting Controls Association, has published LEM-7, Lighting Controls for Energy Management, a detailed guide to energy-saving lighting controls. The publication was written by Craig DiLouie, LC in support of the IES Energy Management Committee. The 48-page 8.5×11 guide, which is available for $35 (IES members) and $50 […]
Lighting Controls Association Offers Updated Energy Codes Course
The Lighting Controls Association has updated EE203: Lighting & Commercial Energy Codes, a course in its popular Education Express program. Education Express provides in-depth education about lighting controls and controllable ballast technology, application, system design and commissioning. Commercial building energy codes regulate the designed energy efficiency of nonresidential buildings. Current codes and standards require a […]
What’s New for Lighting Control in the New California Title 24
Guest post by Charles Knuffke, WattStopper Lighting professionals in California are watching the approaching New Year with some apprehension, for 2014 brings with it a completely revamped and far more aggressive energy code. While California’s Title 24 Energy Code has had a reputation for being a leadership code in the past, the 2013 revision more […]
Exterior Lighting Control Strategies
The latest generation of energy codes and standards require that building exterior lighting be turned OFF and/or reduced when not in use, producing significant energy cost savings. This includes outdoor area/parking lot, bollard, entrance/exit canopy and wallpack lighting. The following decisions will ensure that energy consumption is minimized by turning lighting OFF or turning it […]
ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 Now The National Energy Standard
On October 18, 2013, all states were required by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to put in place a commercial building energy code at least as stringent as the 2010 version of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 energy standard. Eight states are in compliance as of October 2013. States are expected to adopt 90.1-2010 in whole […]
What’s New in California’s 2013 Title 24 Energy Code?
California has announced the 2013 version of its Title 24 energy code, which regulates energy-efficient design of buildings. The changes take effect in 2014 and are mandatory. The California Lighting Technology Center has published a guide to the major changes. Download it here.
Advanced Control Options for LEED v.4
Version 4 of the popular Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system is expected to be released at Greenbuild in November 2013. Final balloting to approve the new LEED version is expected to occur in June, so we don’t know exactly what will be contained in the new rating system. One […]