In the pursuit of a more sustainable future, reducing energy consumption is a critical goal. Commercial buildings are significant consumers of energy, making it imperative to identify and mitigate key areas of high usage. Lighting accounts for roughly 18% of energy consumption in non-residential buildings across the country; the second highest contender of energy use in commercial buildings, trailing only HVAC systems. Ensuring that designers understand and plan around lighting efficiency requirements is essential for achieving these energy reduction goals.
To reduce energy use across the U.S., three organizations have created energy efficiency regulations. These continually updated standards became known as the Building Energy Efficiency Standards. California Title 24 Part 6, specifically, contained all the codes which addressed improving energy efficiency in lighting systems and HVAC systems. The regulation requires that a controlled outlet is placed no more than 6 feet from an uncontrolled outlet and that in modular furniture, at least one outlet per workstation is controlled. Additionally, controlled outlets must be permanently marked to indicate it is controlled.
How Does Title 24 Part 6 Affect Interior Designer And Furniture Manufacturing?
When designing spaces, whether conference rooms, office spaces, university lecture halls, hotel rooms, or any other space designed around humans, lighting plays an imperative role. You could be designing for a romantic mood, a state of flow for focused work, or any other tone – but you define that tone with lighting.
So, what does Title 24 Part 6 have to do with your designs and spaces?
Office Settings:
A controlled outlet must be located within 6 ft of any uncontrolled outlets.
Hospitality Guest Rooms:
A minimum of half of the outlets in each hotel or motel guest room must be a controlled receptacle.
Open Office Spaces:
A controlled outlet is required in each workstation in addition to the rules for Office Settings.
Exceptions:
Only clocks installed higher than 6 ft, IT equipment such as printers, and refrigerator or water dispenser outlets do not require controlled circuits in non-residential buildings.
Other Regulations to Note
California is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these types of standards. Here are a few others to consider:
ASHRAE 90.1
Published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers, this Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings requires that at least half of all outlets are controlled and permanently marked to indicate they are controlled.
IECC
Published by the International Codes Council, the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code requires at least half of all outlets to be controlled and permanently marked. It’s important to note that previous editions of the IECC did not include this requirement.
Federal Standards
The federal government mandates that all states have an energy conservation standard equivalent to ASHRAE 90.1. The IECC is considered an equivalent standard, despite earlier editions lacking the controlled outlet requirement.
Even as a non-designer or non-engineer working for a design-related company, it is crucial to understand these regulations and codes. As a designer, it’s critical to understand the specific requirements for each project, and knowing your audience when planning upcoming product launches, marketing material, website content, and product innovation requires that you’re in the know. This map provides a glimpse into the requirements for each state:
You can find the interactive version of this map here: https://www.energycodes.gov/state-portal
