Lighting controls are an important part of the Energy Code because they can produce energy savings for the owners and users of the spaces. Lighting Control Requirements in Accordance with Room and Luminaire Types
All lighting controls must comply with the mandatory requirements of §110.9 (refer to Section 6.3.2 for details). Following are general control requirements that apply for the room type and for the luminaire type:
A. Readily Accessible Manual Controls
All permanently installed luminaires shall have readily accessible wall-mounted controls that permit the luminaires to be manually turned on and off. Per §100.1 Definitions, “readily accessible” means capable of being reached quickly for operation, repair, or inspection without requiring climbing or removing obstacles, or resorting to access equipment.
B. Multiple Switches
A lighting circuit can be controlled by more than one switch, such as by three-way or four-way switches. For a lighting circuit with multiple switches, where a dimmer or vacancy sensor has been installed to comply with §150.0(k), the following requirements must be met:
1. No controls shall bypass the dimmer or vacancy sensor function.
2. The dimmer or vacancy sensor must comply with the applicable requirements of §110.9(b).
C. Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS) and Multiscene Programmable Controllers
An EMCS or a multiscene programmable controller can be installed to meet the dimming, occupancy, and lighting control requirements in §150.0(k)2 if it provides the functionality of the specified controls in accordance with §110.9, and the physical controls specified in §150.0(k)2A.
D. Exhaust Fan Integrated Lighting
Integrated lighting in an exhaust fan must be controlled independently from the fan.
E. Lighting for Drawers and Cabinets
Undercabinet lighting, undershelf lighting, and interior lighting of display cabinets shall be controlled separately from ceiling-installed lighting such that one can be turned on without turning on the other.
Drawers and cabinetry with internal lights and opaque fronts or doors must have controls that turn the lights off when the drawer or door is closed.
F. Independent Control of Switched Outlets
Switched outlets shall be controlled separately from ceiling-installed lighting such that one can be turned on without turning on the other.
G. Ceiling Fan Lighting
Ceiling fans with integrated light sources can be controlled with a remote control for ON, OFF, and dimming control. The remote control does not need to be wall mounted.
H. Spaces Required to Have Vacancy Sensors or Occupancy Sensors
The following residential spaces are required to have at least one installed luminaire in the space be controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor providing automatic-off functionality:
1. Bathrooms
2. Garages
3. Laundry Rooms
4. Utility Rooms
5. Walk-in Closets
6. Luminaires Required to Have Dimming Controls
I. Luminaires Required to Have Dimming Controls
Lighting in habitable spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms must have readily accessible wall-mounted dimming controls that allow the lighting to be manually adjusted up and down.
There are three exceptions:
1. Ceiling fans may provide control of integrated lighting via a remote control.
2. Luminaires connected to a circuit with controlled lighting power less than 20 watts or controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor providing automatic-off functionality.
3. Navigation lighting such as night lights, step lights, and path lights less than 5 watts; and lighting with automatic off controls that is internal to drawers and cabinetry with opaque fronts or doors.
Also, lighting integral to appliances including kitchen range hoods and exhaust fans is not required to be provided with dimming controls.
Forward phase cut dimmers controlling LED light sources in these spaces shall comply with NEMA SSL 7A. The combined use of a NEMA SSL 7A-compliant dimmer with LED luminaires ensures flicker-free operation when the luminaire is dimmed. Dimmer/light source compatibility information is included on dimmer cut sheets or dimmer product packaging.
Example 6-8: Using vacancy sensors and dimmers
Question
Can I install vacancy sensors and dimmers in hallways and non-walk-in closets even though the Energy Code does not require it?
Answer
Installing controls such as vacancy sensors and dimmers in hallways and closets is allowed.
A vacancy sensor automatically turns lighting off when a space is unoccupied. This can save energy compared to a manual on-off switch where the light may be left on while the space is unoccupied.
Using vacancy sensors is recommended for any application where they can provide additional energy savings for the homeowner or occupant.
A dimmer varies the intensity of the light to suit the occasion or the time of day. When less light is needed, the homeowner can reduce the light intensity with a dimmer to save energy.
All installed lighting control devices and systems must meet the functionality requirements in §110.9(b). In addition, all components of a lighting control system installed together shall meet all applicable requirements for the application for which they are installed as required in §150.0(k).
§110.9(b) includes requirements for specific lighting control features and functionality. Designers and installers should review features of their specified lighting control products for meeting the requirements of §110.9(b) as part of the code compliance process.
A. Time-Switch Lighting Controls
Time-switch lighting control products shall provide the functionality listed in §110.9(b)1 of the Energy Code.
B. Dimmers
Dimmer products shall provide the functionality listed in §110.9(b)3 of the Energy Code.
Forward phase cut dimmers used with LED lighting must comply with NEMA SSL 7A.
Occupant sensing controls (including occupant sensors, partial-ON occupant sensors, partial-OFF occupant sensors, motion sensors, and vacancy sensors) shall provide the functionality listed in §110.9(b)4 and §110.9(b)6of the Energy Code.
Occupant sensing controls must automatically reduce lighting or turn the lighting off within 20 minutes after the area has been vacated.
Occupant sensing control systems may consist of a combination of single- or multi-level occupant, motion, or vacancy sensor controls, if components installed for manual-on compliance don’t allow occupants to change the functionality from manual-on to automatic-on.
D. Using Vacancy Sensors or Occupancy Sensors
Occupancy sensors automatically turn lighting on when a space becomes occupied, and automatically turn lighting off within 20 minutes of the space being vacated.
Vacancy sensors, also known as manual-on/automatic-off occupant sensors, require occupants to turn lights on manually, and automatically turn lights off within 20 minutes of the space being vacated.
Occupancy and vacancy sensors are required to provide the ability to manually turn lighting on and off. The manual off feature provides the flexibility to control the lighting environment by turning off lights when they are not needed.
The Energy Code allows occupancy sensors or vacancy sensors to be installed to meet the automatic-off control requirements.
Example 6-9: Bathroom vacancy sensors – manual off
Question
For a bathroom with a vacancy sensor, the lighting turns off automatically once the space is vacated. Is it necessary to provide a manual-off control?
Answer
Vacancy and occupancy sensors must provide the option to turn the lights off manually.
If an occupant forgets to turn the lights off when a room is unoccupied, the vacancy or occupancy sensor must turn the lights off automatically within 20 minutes. The occupant must also have the ability to turn the lights off upon leaving the room.
This provides flexibility to control the lighting environment and achieve greater energy savings, as lights can be turned off when not needed.
Example 6-10: Use of automatic shut-off controls
Question
What type of automatic shut-off control can be used in a bathroom, garage, laundry room, utility room, or walk-in closet?
Answer
Occupant or vacancy sensing controls that provide automatic-off functionality must be installed to meet the residential lighting control requirements for bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and walk-in closets.
Example 6-11: Using an Energy Management Control System
Question
Can an EMCS be used to control under-cabinet lighting?
Answer
An EMCS can be used to control under-cabinet lighting provided that the under-cabinet lighting is switched separately from the ceiling lighting systems as specified in §150.0(k)2G.