New Jersey Energy Code for Lighting: What ASHRAE 90.1 (2022) Means for Your Fixture Schedule

New Jersey enforces ASHRAE Standard 90.1, 2022 edition, as the commercial energy subcode, with an effective date of August 17, 2026. Section 9 of that standard decides two things about your fixture schedule: how much lighting power the building may connect, and which controls those fixtures need. This guide walks through the lighting power allowance methods, the control changes in the 2022 edition, the rules for alterations, and how to document the design, using the NJ Department of Community Affairs current codes list, the DCA rule adoption notice, the U.S. Department of Energy state status page and the ASHRAE Journal summary of lighting changes in 90.1 (2022).

Which edition applies to your permit

The edition on your job depends on when the permit application was filed. Confirm it with the local construction official before you finalize the fixture schedule.

Step one: the lighting power allowance

ASHRAE 90.1 (2022) asks you to meet a lighting power limit first and then the control requirements. The allowance is the floor area multiplied by a lighting power density (LPD) in watts per square foot. There are three prescriptive paths:

The ASHRAE Journal summary published these sample Space by Space values for the 2022 cycle:

Use the full tables in the adopted standard for your design, not this sample. A quick check: a 1,000 square foot open office at 0.56 watts per square foot has 560 watts to work with. If you plan sixteen fixtures, each one can draw no more than 35 watts.

Two more 2022 updates from the ASHRAE summary: line voltage track is counted at its specified wattage but not less than 10 watts per linear foot, unless a current limiter sets the figure, and the Space by Space Method adds a videoconferencing allowance of 0.50 watts per square foot for rooms designed to the referenced videoconferencing practice.

Step two: the controls

The 2022 edition changed several control rules in Section 9.4.1.1. Per the ASHRAE summary:

To meet the dimming and occupancy rules, plan for dimmable drivers and an occupancy sensor layout. See 0 to 10V dimming explained and PIR, microwave and dual tech occupancy sensors.

Alterations and retrofits

The 2022 edition sets clear thresholds for when a lighting replacement has to meet all of Section 9, per the ASHRAE summary:

• Interior, more than 2,000W replaced in a space: the project meets all of Section 9.
• Interior, 2,000W or less replaced: the new lighting meets certain controls in Section 9.4.1 and either uses half the power of the system it replaces or meets the Space by Space Method.
• Exterior, more than 10 luminaires or more than 20 linear feet replaced: the new lighting meets all of Section 9.
• Exterior, at or below those counts: the new lighting meets a subset of the Section 9.4.1 controls and either has half the wattage or meets the exterior lighting power limits in Section 9.4.2.

The 2022 edition also widened its scope from buildings to buildings and sites, so site lighting such as parking lots and campus walkways is covered even when it is not fed from the building service.

Sensor ready fixtures we list

A fixture with a sensor is one part of compliance. The zoning, time delays and dimming levels in your controls design still have to match Section 9.4.1 and your plans. Browse more in LED fixtures with occupancy sensors. Check each product page and spec sheet for that fixture's UL, ETL and DLC listings.

Fixture schedule checklist

• Edition: confirm with the construction official which edition the permit falls under.
• Method: pick Building Area or Space by Space and stay with it for the interior.
• Watts: list the installed wattage setting for each fixture type and total it against the allowance.
• Light level: check targets in foot candle requirements by space type so the lower wattage still lights the task.
• Controls: mark occupancy zones, daylight zones, dimming and automatic shutoff on the plans.
• Documentation: run COMcheck and attach the fixture spec sheets. See how to read an LED spec sheet.
• Incentives: check program rules before ordering; see utility rebates for commercial LED upgrades.

Common questions

Which energy code covers commercial lighting in New Jersey?

The DCA lists ASHRAE Standard 90.1, 2022 edition, as the energy subcode for commercial and all other residential buildings, effective August 17, 2026. Confirm with the local construction official which edition applies to your permit.

What is a lighting power allowance?

It is the upper limit on lighting power the design may connect. Multiply the floor area by the lighting power density for the building or space type in ASHRAE 90.1, then keep the installed fixture watts at or under that total.

Do I need daylight controls?

Under the 2022 edition, daylight responsive controls are required when the luminaires in the primary sidelighted zone total 75W, or the primary and secondary sidelighted zones together total 150W. Toplighted spaces have a similar rule.

Does a lighting retrofit have to meet the energy code?

Per the 2022 edition, replacing more than 2,000W of interior lighting in a space triggers all of Section 9. At 2,000W or less, the new lighting meets certain controls and either uses half the power of the old system or meets the Space by Space Method.

Can I use COMcheck in New Jersey?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Energy state status page lists COMcheck as usable for commercial projects in New Jersey.

Send your fixture schedule for a job quote. Questions? Contact us or call (845) 681 2684.