This chapter discusses the requirements for sign lighting in the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code). There are requirements for controls, maximum allowable power, and minimum efficacy. These requirements conserve energy, reduce peak electric demand, and are both technically feasible and cost-effective.
The Energy Code does not allow trade-offs between sign lighting power allowances and other end uses.
The sign lighting requirements address both indoor and outdoor illuminated signs, including signs with unfiltered light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and unfiltered neon. The Energy Code includes control requirements for all illuminated signs (§130.3) and lighting power requirements for internally and externally illuminated signs (§140.8|topic=SECTION 140.8 – PRESCRIPTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS).
The sign lighting requirements are the same for conditioned and unconditioned spaces, and they apply to lighting specifically used to illuminate a sign. Lighting that is not used to illuminate a sign must meet the requirements for indoor or outdoor lighting.
§110.9, §130.0, §130.3, §140.8 and §141.0
The Energy Code requires that indoor and outdoor sign lighting be automatically controlled.
The mandatory sign lighting control requirements include:
•Automatic shutoff controls.
•Dimming controls.
•Demand responsive controls for electronic message centers.
All lighting control devices and systems must meet the functionality requirements of §110.9|topic=SECTION 110.9 – MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTING CONTROLS as applicable. More details on mandatory controls are provided in Section 7.3 of this chapter.
Sign lighting power requirements apply to both indoor and outdoor signs and contain two prescriptive compliance options:
1. The watts per square foot approach specifies a maximum lighting power that can be installed, expressed in W/ft² of illuminated sign area.
2. The alternate light source approach specifies efficient lighting sources (and requirements for electronic ballasts, high-efficacy lamps, efficient power supplies, and efficient transformers) that comply.
More details on the sign lighting power requirements are provided in Section 7.4 of this chapter.