Hot Tip

If your project is purchasing new HVAC&R equipment, you'll automatically meet this prerequisite. The Montreal Protocol treaty mandated a complete phase out of CFC-based refrigerants by 1995, and HCFCs by 2030 in developed countries. As a result, compliant, environmentally preferable refrigerants are the only option available for new systems. 

Residences can meet this requirement with appropriately located, switch-operated plug receptacles. If no hardwired lighting is provided in a space, floor lamps controlled by a switch will still meet the credit requirements. 

All daylight and occupancy controls must have a manual override to count toward the credit requirements. (This refers only to spaces that are applicable to the relevant space types. Non-regularly-occupied spaces such as bathrooms would not apply.) 

The credit requirements are based on number of occupants for individually occupied spaces and number of spaces for multi-occupant spaces. Only 90% of total building occupants must have controls in individually occupied spaces, but each of the multi-occupant spaces must have independent controls.

Task lighting does not need to be hardwired in order to meet the credit requirements.

Individual control means that there is a switch accessible to each occupant for control over lighting levels at their individual workspace. It can be a task light in an open office scenario, a main-wall sconce in a private office, a ceiling-hung light in living and bedrooms, or a desk light at a reception desk. Keep in mind, though, that in order to count toward the 90% of individually controlled lighting, 90% of occupants must have a dedicated control or task light.

An open office space counts as individually occupied when each person has an individual desk and a defined space. 

The inclusion of occupancy and daylight sensors can provide a more efficient lighting system, but it does not provide occupants with more controllability. Rather than limiting your project to merely meeting the credit requirements, a combination of lighting controls and lighting controllability is ideal.  

Providing controllability for occupants does not have to involve a complex lighting system―you can simply provide plug-in task lighting in individual spaces.

Note that Energy Star rates the power usage of “sleep,” “standby,” and “hibernate” modes for computers, which may be lower than the computer’s power rating. Use the rated power for the active mode and be consistent in your documentation.