2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready commercial code will boost efficiency by 14%

Oregon’s new commercial building code will create an energy efficiency increase in commercial buildings estimated at more than 14% from the previous code.

The 2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code went into effect Oct. 1, 2019, and is now in a three-month transition period until January 1, 2020 when it will be fully enforced on new projects. The new code is based on ASHRAE 90.1-2016. The previous code was based on the IECC 2009.

Among the new requirements:

· Manual lighting controls are now required for all spaces and the area of control is increased to 2,500 sf. In larger spaces, the new code allows a manual switch to control an area up to 10,000 sf.

· The occupancy sensor shut-off time delay is reduced from 30 minutes to 20 minutes for added energy savings.

· The list of spaces requiring occupancy sensors is expanded to now include corridors, lobbies, library stacks, lecture halls, multipurpose rooms, stairwells, and warehouses.

· A new requirement called “Automatic partial-off”, reduces lighting power by at least 50% when there is no occupancy in corridors, lobbies, library stacks, classroom laboratories, stairwells, warehouses, and large storage rooms.

· A secondary sidelight daylighting control zone is added adjacent to the primary sidelight zone.

· A new parking garage lighting provision is added requiring lighting shut-off, 30% light power reduction when there is no activity, vehicle entrance and exit lighting controls, and daylighting controls.