The 2015 Michigan Energy Code, as directed by Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), went into effect Sept 20, 2017. The changes to the code involve lighting controls of new commercial buildings and remodels with more than 50% lighting alterations in an effort to increase energy savings. In a nutshell, different areas of a commercial building will need both sensors and a wall switch or dimmer to control lighting.
Brief & Not Too Technical Synopsis:
Going forward, commercial buildings are required to regulate their lighting either by a sensor, shut off, or schedule. Depending on the type of the room, usage and time of day, automatic controls will regulate the power of light being used. Without getting too technical, regularly used parts of a building must be regulated by an Automatic Full Shut Off, once the room hasn’t been occupied for 20 minutes, and an Automatic Daylight Responsive Control will dim the lights to varying powers depending on the natural light exposure.
Lesser used areas of the building, like stairwells, warehouses, lobbies, and corridors will be regulated by an Automatic Partial Off sensor. Lighting will be reduced to 50% or less after the area hasn’t been used for 20 minutes.
A Scheduled Shut Off will be used where Automatic Full Off isn’t controlled and special lighting for displays, food warming, and undershelf must be controlled separately from the area’s general lighting.
Furthermore, exterior lighting will be controlled by Automatic Shut Off during daylight hours, landscaping lights will need to be Automatically Shut Off from midnight to 6AM, and generally, all other lighting/signage will be reduced to 30% or less between midnight and 6AM. Security exemptions may apply.
Note: Exceptions and other, random codes have not been discussed here, we can answer any questions not addressed in this blog.
What Business Owners Need to Know:
When building or renovating, Business Owners can expect their lighting control budget to be larger to address the sensor and wall receptacle engineering, installation and materials. But if LARA’s plan to reduce energy usage occurs, Business Owners will see savings on the back end on their energy costs.
The Design/Build team at Wolgast knows the codes involved with building commercial buildings, and will plan your construction project efficiently while keeping you in compliance. Call us today for more information on other parts of the code not discussed here at 800-WOLGAST.
