New California Standards Require Lighting Upgrades

May 17, 2018

Under new standards that will take effect January 1, 2020, nonresidential buildings will use about 30% less energy due mainly to lighting upgrades. The building standards also aim to cut energy use in new homes by more than 50%. New homes will require solar photovoltaic systems.

For residential homeowners, based on a 30-year mortgage, the Energy Commission estimates that the standards will add about US$40 to an average monthly payment, but save consumers US$80 on monthly heating, cooling and lighting bills.

the building energy efficiency standards will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to taking 115,000 fossil fuel cars off the road.

Put forward by the California Energy Commission, the cost-effective 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards focus on four key areas:

  • smart residential photovoltaic systems
  • updated thermal envelope standards (preventing heat transfer from the interior to exterior and vice versa)
  • residential and nonresidential ventilation requirements
  • nonresidential lighting requirements.

The ventilation measures improve indoor air quality, protecting homeowners from air pollution originating from outdoor and indoor sources. For the first time, the standards also establish requirements for newly constructed healthcare facilities.

“Under these new standards, buildings will perform better than ever. At the same time they contribute to a reliable grid,” says Commissioner Andrew McAllister, who is the Energy Commission’s lead on energy efficiency. “The buildings that Californians buy and live in will operate very efficiently while generating their own clean energy. They will cost less to operate, have healthy indoor air, and provide a platform for smart technologies that will propel the state even further down the road to a low emissions future.”

“With this adoption, the California Energy Commission has struck a fair balance between reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously limiting increased construction costs,” says California Building Industry Association CEO and President Dan Dunmoyer. “We thank the commissioners and their staff for working with the building industry during the past 18 months and adopting a set of cost-effective standards that ensures homebuyers will recoup their money over the life of the dwelling.”

Photo source: Pixabay

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • EFC’s Business Sections Welcomes New Lighting Vice Chair

    EFC’s Business Sections Welcomes New Lighting Vice Chair

    EFC is pleased to announce Gil Ofek, Liteline, as the new Vice Chair for the Lighting business section. Gil is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the lighting industry. He currently serves as the Director of Product Management at Liteline Corporation, a leading lighting manufacturer in Canada. In this role, Gil is responsible for… Read More…

  • Salex: Shining a Light on Canadian Brands

    Salex: Shining a Light on Canadian Brands

    Salex Is Proud to Represent a Range of Outstanding Canadian Lighting Manufacturers. These brands not only offer high-quality and cutting-edge solutions but also contribute to the growth of our national industry. Some of Salex’s featured Canadian partners include: Read More…


Design

  • Light ARchitect Is Revolutionizing Lighting Design for Architects & Designers

    Light ARchitect Is Revolutionizing Lighting Design for Architects & Designers

    Traditionally, lighting design could be a tedious process, often involving physical mockups, time-consuming calculations, and static renderings using multiple software tools. With advancing technology, these traditional methods are giving way to more sophisticated tools that enhance precision, speed, and visualization. On the downside, many of the new tools are not particularly intuitive and the learning… Read More…

  • Project Story: Sainte-Thérèse High School Outdoor Lighting Upgrade

    Project Story: Sainte-Thérèse High School Outdoor Lighting Upgrade

    August 6, 2024 Built in 1980, the building that houses Sainte-Thérèse high school, in Quebec Canada, was looking a little worse for the wear. Renovation work began with two major projects: introducing a multidisciplinary sports centre, as well as redesigning the parking lots.  The employee and visitor parking lots were completely reconfigured during phase 1… Read More…


New Products

  • Eureka: Lattice – 3D Printed Ceiling Suspended Fixture

    Eureka: Lattice – 3D Printed Ceiling Suspended Fixture

    Lattice is a one-of-a-kind 3D metal printed fixture. Layer upon layer of intricately braided aluminum branches meld into one of three comprehensive shapes. The result is a stunning glowing light fixture that will add a luxurious feel to ambient environments. EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE ON DEMAND. Read More…

  • SATCO|NUVO: CFL Replacement Lamps

    SATCO|NUVO: CFL Replacement Lamps

    Upgrade your lighting with SATCO-NUVO’s energy-efficient Type B ballast bypass LED replacement lamps. These innovative lamps are available in multiple base options to suit your needs. The 3.5W model for 5/7/9W CFL lamps with a 2G7 base and the 5.5W model for 13W CFL lamps with a 2GX7 base are 4 CCT selectable, while the… Read More…