How Do You Know a Light Fixture or Bulb Is Title 24 Compliant?

Look for the JA8-2025 mark, not the words Title 24. The Energy Commission says labeling a product “Title 24 Compliant” breaks California law, because it can read as a government endorsement. A light source qualifies when it is certified to the Commission under Joint Appendix JA8 and marked JA8-2025, or JA8-2025-E for enclosed and recessed fittings, and you can look it up in the Commission’s database.

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The check, in three steps

  • Read the marking. JA8-2025 on the lamp or luminaire, and JA8-2025-E for a lamp going into an enclosed or recessed fitting. Products certified under the 2016, 2019 or 2022 editions of JA8 are still accepted.
  • Look the model up in the Energy Commission’s appliance database, which the compliance manual points to for certified luminaires, lamps and light sources.
  • Keep the proof. The installer signs a CF2R-LTG-01-E, and at final inspection the builder leaves a schedule of the interior luminaires and lamps installed to comply (Section 10-103(b)3).

What the mark means

A JA8 source has passed these tests: efficacy of 45 lumens per watt or the appliance standard if higher; power factor of 0.90 or more; start within 0.5 seconds; a CRI of 90 and R9 of 50 (LED lamps under Title 20 follow its CRI rule); a color temperature of 4000 K or less; dimming down to 10 per cent, with forward phase-cut LEDs meeting NEMA SSL 7A; flicker under 30 per cent; and no more than 24 dBA of noise. The -E mark adds a federal time-to-failure test, with a rated life of 15,000 hours or more at 45°C. Color-tunable and dim-to-warm fixtures qualify if they reach 4000 K or less, and fade-in lighting is acceptable.

Extra rules by fixture type

  • Recessed ceiling downlight: no screw-base socket, a label certifying airtightness (under 2.0 cfm at 75 pascals, ASTM E283), a gasket or caulk seal to the ceiling and California Electrical Code clearances. Fire-rated units and non-insulated ceilings are excused the airtightness and sealing rules. Insulation can sit above it or within 3 inches only if the housing is Type IC.
  • Other screw-base fixtures: a JA8-certified lamp is enough.
  • LED tape, track and under-cabinet lights: luminaires like any other, with no wattage cap.
  • Exempt from JA8: lights built into range hoods, exhaust fans, vanity mirrors, garage door openers and federally regulated ceiling fan kits, LED sources outdoors, and lighting of 45 lumens per watt or more inside drawers, cabinets and linen closets.

Where this fits

The rule and the heat problem behind the -E mark are on JA8 lighting. Swapping one fixture is covered by replacing light fixtures, switching by dimmers and vacancy sensors, the porch and patio by outdoor lighting and the installer’s certificate by the CF2R.

Common Title 24 Questions

  1. When is Title 24 required for a home?
  2. Does a remodel need Title 24?
  3. Does a room addition need Title 24?
  4. What plans are needed for a residential Title 24 report?
  5. How much does a residential Title 24 report cost?
  6. How long does a residential Title 24 report take?

Frequently Asked Questions

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