6.1.1 What’s New in the 2016 Standards (2016)
The 2016 Standards have simplified the residential lighting requirements through the following important changes:
1. All permanently installed luminaires must be “high efficacy”. This eliminates different requirements by room or whether a particular control is installed, and removes the need for calculating the wattage of low versus high efficacy luminaires in the kitchen.
2. The definition of “high efficacy luminaires” includes the light sources identified as efficient in 2013 (linear fluorescent, pin based compact fluorescent, GU-24 base CFL, HID, and induction lighting) and has been expanded to include any luminaire that contains a JA8 compliant lamp or other light source. In other words, any luminaire can qualify as high efficacy luminaire as long as it meets the requirements of JA8 and has a JA8-2016 marked light source in it at time of inspection.
3. The marking “JA8-2016” refers to the light source meeting the requirements of Joint Appendix JA8, listing the product in the Energy Commission JA8 database. These requirements assure that the light source, including lamps and luminaires, provides high color quality, has a long life and is energy efficient.
4. The marking “JA8-2016-E” indicates that in addition to the requirements above for JA8 light source, the light source has been tested to provide long life at elevated temperatures. Light sources must be marked “JA8-2016-E” if they are to be used in enclosed luminaires or recessed luminaires.
5. Recessed downlight luminaires in ceilings are required to contain a JA8 compliant light source that meets the elevated temperature requirement. Recessed downlight luminaires with screw based sockets are no longer permitted to be installed under 2016 Standards.
6. The builder must provide the new homeowner with a luminaire schedule that includes a list of lamps installed in the luminaries so that the homeowners know what light sources they are entitled to when they take possession of the new homes.
7. Inspections for lighting are more straightforward as all luminaries have a high efficacy light source, and there is a completed luminaire schedule for the owner.
In addition to these main changes, the 2016 Standards have made minor modifications to the lighting controls requirements to maintain consistency with the requirements for dimmers and/or vacancy sensors in the 2013 Standards.