Code Changes Encourage Innovative Products

March 01, 2005

A version of this article appears in the March/April 2005 issue of Home Energy Magazine.

Click here to read more articles about Codes and Standards

        Tired of telling your kids to turn off the lights? Now you may no longer have to—if you live in California. With the introduction of California’s Title 24-2005 energy codes, new residential construction is required to use either high-efficacy light fixtures or controls such as occupancy sensors and dimmers. These controls ensure that your lights will be turned off when you leave the room—even if you or your kids forget to flip the switch.
        The new Title 24 guidelines’ high-efficacy standards specify that light output— measured as the number of lumens leaving the lamp—must be efficient in relation to the number of watts used to produce that light. Fixtures that meet these standards include CFLs instead of incandescent lighting, electronic ballasts for all lamps rated 13 watts or greater,and recessed luminaires in all insulated ceilings approved for zero-clearance insulation cover (IC) and certified airtight.
        Title 24-2005, which went into effect on October 1, 2004, also allows the use of occupancy sensors and dimmers as an alternative to these fixtures.These sensors must be manual automatic,without the capability to turn lights on automatically or override enabling lights to remain on. Occupancy sensors must also offer time delays that don’t exceed 30 minutes.
        The Watt Stopper, a leading manufacturer in lighting control products, has recently introduced its CN-100 and CW-100 Residential Motion Sensors, which are designed to replace a standard wall switch.Through the use of passive infrared (PIR) technology, the sensors detect occupants in a room.When the room is empty, lights automatically shut off after a time delay.These sensors offer significant energy savings. The use of CN and CW sensors can reduce lighting usage by about 50% in bathrooms and bedrooms and between 20%-40% in other rooms.

Perez Named Best Installer in America

        Jorge Perez of Sierra Insulation in Corona, California, was recently awarded the title of best insulation installer in America in the second annual Best Installer in America contest. The contest, held in Denver,was sponsored by Johns Manville, a leading manufacturer of building materials. Johns Manville sponsored the program for InsulateAmerica, a national co-op of independent insulation contractors with more than 180 locations in 45 states.
        InsulateAmerica contractors competed at regional contests in Kansas, California, New Jersey, and Georgia. From those contests, the top five installers—those who best exemplified high-quality workmanship, safety, and productivity—were chosen to represent the four regions.During the final install-off,which was held in Denver, contestants insulated the walls, ceiling, and crawlspace of a wooden structure that posed problems that would be commonly found on a job site.
        “We tried to make the structure for the final competition as true to life as possible, complete with challenges such as irregular spacing and plumbing fixtures to consider,” says Dud Colton, manager of national accounts for Johns Manville. Each contestant had equal opportunity to insulate the room as efficiently as possible, and all the guys did extremely well.”
        “To be singled out as the best installer in their area and to compete among the best in the country was a treat in itself,” says Perez.“Taking home the top prize was icing on the cake.”
        The Best Installer in America contest showcases best practices among the industry while recognizing the best contractors in the field. Since job site callbacks are usually expensive and timeconsuming, focusing on doing the job right the first time benefits both contractor and homeowner.