On January 1st, 2017, new lighting requirements in California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Standards) for new construction went into effect. This particular Energy Standard, titled JA8, short for “Joint Appendix 8”, requires that high efficacy lighting is used throughout any residential construction project, including guest rooms in hotels, multi-family homes up to three stories high, single-family homes, apartment units in residential high-rises, and other similar applications (1).
Liteline is committed to providing innovative, energy-efficient lighting products that will meet the requirements of your next project.
THE MUST KNOWS:
When looking at the big picture, JA8 requirements are updated every three years, and cover performance criteria including efficacy, dimmability, longevity, color temperature, color rendering, flicker, start time, audible noise and power factor.
- Must be 90+ CRI
- Produce less than 30% flicker in dimmed and undimmed states
- Color temperature must not exceed 4000 K
- Posses a minimum of a 15,000 hour lifespan
So, what has changed with JA8 2016? In addition to more quality and efficacy requirements, JA8 is now linked to “Joint Appendix 10” (JA10), which is the section of California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standard that measures flicker of lighting systems as well as reporting requirements for additional flicker testing and data reporting requirements for JA8 light sources (1).
1. What is JA8 and how is it related to Title 24?
JA8 is an extension of Title 24, a standard that dates back to the 1970’s, and one which provides guideline requirements for energy-efficiency in new buildings. Following the California Energy Crises of 2000 and 2001, where the state had a shortage of electricity supply caused by market manipulations, and capped retail electricity prices, updates to the appendix began to be made regularly every three to four years. In 2008, the California Energy Commission promised to ensure that all-new homes built in the state would be Zero Net Energy users by the year 2020 (2).
In order to meet the lighting requirements set out in California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Liteline is pleased to offer our customers a vast selection of JA8 compliant fixtures, which include those in our LUNA, SlimLED and LEDBar families, for new construction projects.
2. Why should you care?
The average homeowner will understand JA8 certification as requirements designed to significantly reduce energy use, ultimately lowering electrical bills. However, the environment and consumer safety are also top of mind when it comes to amending this particular appendix.
In 2017, the California Energy Commission estimated that 110, 000 single-family homes and 30,000 multi-unit family dwellings would be built in the state of California alone. New JA8 requirements have been carefully crafted to assist in contributing to a 50% reduction in energy usage within these new developments (1).
3. How can you Ensure That Your Fixtures are JA8 compliant?
Simple! Whether you are an end-user, contractor or a stakeholder in-between, the easiest way to ensure that the fixture you are about to purchase and install is JA8 certified, is through specialized markings on the fixture or product packaging.
Usually appearing as a sticker, JA8 certified light fixtures must contain a marking on the product itself, identifying it as JA8 certified. The marking will read either “JA8-2016” or, for products intended to be used in enclosed or recessed luminaries, “JA8-2016-E” (3).
4. Does Liteline offer JA8 Certified Light Fixtures?
Yes! To ensure your project does not get held up in the inspection process, Liteline offers several JA8 compliant fixtures within our LUNA, SlimLED and LEDBar lineup of products. To view the full list of products, click here.
LUNA:
Sitting proudly between a premium integrated LED luminaire and a budget retrofit, the LUNA Series offers the housing, trim, and lamp look without the overhead and heat.
Learn more about LUNA, click here.
SlimLED:
This traditional LED fixture is perfect for residential spaces or similar and offers an ideal combination of efficient output with a streamlined design.
Learn more about the SlimLED lineup, click here.
LEDBar:
Thin, sleek and easy to install, LEDBar is the ideal solution for your commercial or residential task lighting needs.
To learn more about LEDBar, click here.
Need to find Liteline JA8 certified fixtures? No problem! Use our Agent Finder Tool to locate your nearest Regional Agent, and they will be glad to assist you.
For more information on Liteline’s product offering, please visit http://www.liteline.com
To view the JA8 Appendix, click here.
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