Codes + Standards

My contribution to the February issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR summarizes the major lighting changes in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1, which is now the official national energy reference standard.

California’s 2019 lighting standards and regulations went into effect January 1, 2020. The 2019 changes include updates to both the Appliance Efficiency Regulations and Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

The Zhaga Consortium recently announced publication of Version 2.0 of its Book 18 specifications for the mechanical, electrical, and communication interfaces between luminaires and sensors and/or communication modules.

My contribution to the Lighting Controls Association in December provides a summary of the new ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 energy standard, which is used by a model energy code by some jurisdictions while also serving as an alternate compliance path for the IECC.

Zhaga and MD-SIG recently announced that they have agreed to align their efforts and to proceed as a single organization under the Zhaga Consortium. Zhaga members have access to the former MD-SIG specifications as part of their Zhaga membership.

An opinion piece in a recent issue of ENGINEERED SYSTEMS asks a simple question: Why does the U.S. need two model energy codes?

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings is now available. The new standard contains more than 100 changes from the 2016 version, including numerous energy-saving measures.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) recently released the second version of an updated commercial lighting policy that combines continued emphasis on persistent energy savings with new, greater focus on the controllability and quality of light demonstrated by products approved for the DLC’s Qualified Products List (QPL).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized minor adjustments to the ENERGY STAR Luminaires specification, reflected in a Version 2.2 (V2.2).