This chapter discusses the requirements for sign lighting in the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Standards). They set minimum control requirements, maximum allowable power levels and minimum efficacy requirements. They conserve energy, reduce peak electric demand, and are technically feasible and cost effective.
The Energy Standards do not allow trade-offs between sign lighting power allowances and other end uses including outdoor lighting, indoor lighting, HVAC, building envelope, or water heating.
The Sign Lighting Standards address both indoor and outdoor signs. The Energy Standards include control requirements for all illuminated signs (§130.3) and establish lighting power requirements for internally illuminated and externally illuminated signs (§140.8).
The Sign Lighting Standards are the same throughout the state and are independent of outdoor Lighting Zones.
The Sign Lighting Standards are the same in conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
7.1.2.1 Mandatory Measures
The Energy Standards require that indoor and outdoor sign lighting be automatically controlled.
In brief, the mandatory sign lighting requirements include:
All lighting controls must meet the requirements of §110.9 as applicable. Most lighting controls must be certified by the manufacturer to the Energy Commission and are required to be listed in the Energy Commission directories. Additionally, self-contained lighting control devices are now regulated by the Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations. More details on the mandatory measures are provided in Section 7.2 of this chapter.
7.1.2.2 Sign Lighting Power
Sign Lighting Standards apply to both indoor and outdoor signs and contain two different prescriptive compliance options:
1. The watt per square foot approach specifies a maximum lighting power that can be installed, expressed in W/ft² of sign area.
2. The specific technology approach specifies that the signs shall be illuminated with efficient lighting sources (electronic ballasts, high efficacy lamps, efficient power supplies and efficient transformers).
More details on the sign lighting power requirements are provided in Section 7.3 of this chapter.