California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6) apply to new lighting in remodels and new homes. Here is what they mean when you add recessed lights.
What does Title 24 require for home lighting?
- High-efficacy lighting: generally, permanently installed residential lighting must be high-efficacy, which in practice means LED fixtures or lamps that meet the state's JA8 standard where it applies.
- Recessed fixtures in insulated ceilings must be rated for contact with insulation (IC), be airtight, and generally not use screw-base sockets, which is why most new installs use integrated LED "wafer" or canless lights.
- Controls: many spaces need dimmers or vacancy sensors, and bathrooms, garages, laundry and utility rooms generally need at least one vacancy sensor-controlled light. Outdoor lighting has its own control rules.
The exact rules depend on the code cycle and the room, and your permit triggers them. A remodel permit is when your building department applies them.
Are canless (wafer) LED lights good?
For most remodels, yes. They are slim, often IC-rated and airtight, and fit where cans will not. Choose a listed, JA8-compliant product with a color temperature you like (2700K to 3000K is warm).
Why do my LED recessed lights flicker?
Usually a dimmer that is not compatible with the LEDs. See LED dimmer flicker.
Common questions
What is JA8 lighting?
JA8 is a California Energy Commission standard (Joint Appendix 8) for high-efficacy light sources, covering things like efficacy, color quality, dimming and flicker.
Do recessed lights have to be IC rated in California?
Recessed fixtures in insulated ceilings generally must be IC-rated and airtight under Title 24.
General information for California homes under the California Electrical Code (based on the NEC). Local rules and inspectors can vary. Not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Never work inside a panel, at the meter or on live circuits.