Networked lighting controls
The other half of your LED retrofit incentive
An LED-only retrofit earns ComEd's standard per-watt incentive. Add qualifying networked controls and two more layers apply: a higher fixture rate and a separate controls adder.
Whether you're mid-retrofit or upgrading controls on existing LED, the incentive math applies.
LED-only vs. LED + controls: how the incentive changes
Adding qualifying controls moves a ComEd LED retrofit from the standard LED-only rate to a materially higher combined incentive. The increase comes from two mechanisms: a higher NLC fixture rate and a separate controls adder that stacks on top.
LED-only baseline
ComEd’s standard per-watt-reduced incentive for qualifying LED fixtures.
NLC fixture premium
When networked lighting controls are included, the fixture portion steps above the LED-only baseline rather than stacking as a second fixture payment.
Controls adder
A separate per-watt-controlled incentive stacks on top of the fixture rate when the controls package qualifies.
Combined effect
Materially higher than an LED-only filing. We calculate the exact figure for your building during the assessment.
Additional location and sourcing bonuses can push coverage materially beyond the standard filing, depending on the project.
Incentive levels are set by ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program and reviewed annually. We confirm current rates for your project at assessment.
What happens to your energy bill after the rebate clears
Controls cut lighting energy consumption by an additional ~49% beyond what LED alone achieves — not from manufacturer projections, but from a study of 194 real commercial buildings tracked by NEEA and the DLC. Combined with LED's own 40–70% reduction, the total reaches 60–80% of baseline lighting energy, depending on existing conditions.
Existing lighting load
100%
Remaining after LED retrofit
~45%
LED retrofit reduction: 40–70%
Final load with LED + NLC controls
~23%
NLC controls: ~49% of the remaining load
64%
Offices
Additional NLC savings, median
68%
Warehouses
Additional NLC savings, median
<1%
Current penetration
Commercial luminaires with NLC
14%
By 2030
DOE projected market share
These reductions come from four control strategies working together: occupancy and vacancy sensing removes energy in unoccupied spaces, daylight harvesting dims fixtures near windows and skylights, high-end trim and task tuning reduce maximum output to match actual need, and scheduling aligns lighting with operating hours rather than leaving circuits on 24/7.
Your project may already require lighting controls
Illinois adopted the 2024 IECC effective November 30, 2025, incorporating ASHRAE 90.1-2022's expanded lighting-controls mandates. If your commercial lighting project exceeds the thresholds below, controls are not an upgrade — they are a code requirement.
All commercial interior lighting: automatic shutoff within 20 minutes of vacancy
ASHRAE 90.1-2022 §9.4.1.1(b)
Manual-only switches no longer comply. Applies to all commercial interior spaces regardless of size.
Sidelit and toplit zones with ≥75W general lighting require daylight-responsive controls
ASHRAE 90.1-2022 §9.4.1.1(d), Addendum ba
Threshold reduced from 150W in 90.1-2019. Continuous dimming to ≤20% plus OFF.
Open plan offices ≥300 sq ft: ≤600 sq ft per occupancy sensor zone
ASHRAE 90.1-2022 §9.4.1.1(b)
Enclosed offices ≤300 sq ft use the room as the control zone. The 600 sq ft maximum applies only to open plan areas.
Exterior lighting requires both schedule and occupancy-based reduction
ASHRAE 90.1-2022 §9.4.1.4
15-minute vacancy timeout. ≤1,500W per control zone. Daylight OFF control also required.
IECC 2024 replaces bilevel switching with continuous dimming
2024 IECC §C405.2
Full output to ≤10% plus OFF. Adds demand-responsive controls requirement. Energy monitoring threshold reduced to 10,000 sq ft from 25,000 sq ft.
Alterations affecting >50% of the lighting system trigger full controls requirements
ASHRAE 90.1-2022 §9 Alterations
For retrofit projects, the scope of the lighting alteration — not the age of the building — determines whether current controls mandates apply. A large enough LED retrofit independently triggers ASHRAE 90.1-2022 compliance.
Effective November 30, 2025 — already in effect statewide
Illinois Capital Development Board, 2024 IECC adoption
Illinois statewide. Projects within Chicago city limits should verify requirements with Chicago DOB under the 2022 Energy Transformation Code.
Required controls by zone type
| Zone type | Control required | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Auto shutoff ≤20 min | All spaces |
| Sidelit / toplit | Daylight dimming | ≥75W |
| Open office ≥300 sf | Occ. sensor zones | ≤600 sf / zone |
| Exterior | Sched. + occ. + daylight | ≤1,500W / zone |
| All zones (IECC) | Continuous dimming | ≤10% + OFF |
Illinois statewide, effective November 30, 2025. ASHRAE 90.1-2022 §9.4.1.1 and §9.4.1.4; 2024 IECC §C405.2.
References: ASHRAE 90.1-2022 Section 9, 2024 IECC Chapter C405, Illinois Capital Development Board.
What happens between ‘yes’ and ‘verified’
Most contractors install and leave — NLC systems that are not properly commissioned underperform or fail to qualify for ComEd incentives. Maplewood follows a 13-phase commissioning protocol from pre-application through post-occupancy verification, and manages the ComEd paperwork along the way.
1
Pre-construction
Pre-application → Reservation → Design
ComEd pre-application submitted and reservation letter secured before installation begins. Owner's Project Requirements documented, Basis of Design established. Express reservations available for projects under $10K.
2
Installation
Equipment installation → Network formation
DLC 5.1-listed fixtures and controllers installed. Network commissioned and communication verified. System architecture validated against Basis of Design.
3
Configuration
Device mapping → Logic configuration → Sensor calibration
Every fixture mapped to its zone. Control logic programmed per OPR. Sensors calibrated to actual space conditions, not factory defaults.
4
Optimization
High-end trim → Task tuning
Light output capped at actual need — 10–30% reduction typical from trim and tuning. This is where the energy-savings model gets realized. Uncalibrated systems save materially less.
5
Verification & closeout
Functional testing → Performance verification → Documentation
Every control sequence tested against OPR. Zones that do not meet specification are recalibrated and retested before ComEd documentation is submitted. Energy baseline established for M&V. Owner handoff includes as-built report and end-user training.
ComEd coordination
We handle the paperwork
Maplewood manages pre-application, reservation, post-installation documentation, and incentive disbursement coordination — from initial filing through final payment.
What your equipment has to do to qualify
ComEd requires all networked lighting control equipment to be listed on the DLC Qualified Products List under current NLC5.1 standards — DLC 5.0 listings no longer qualify. Three domains determine eligibility.
Cybersecurity compliance
Required under NLC5
Mandatory device-level security — firmware signing, encrypted communications, access authentication.
Energy reporting
NLC5.1 threshold
Verified savings data at ≥15-minute intervals, reportable by time range, with storage history.
Interoperability
NLC5.1 threshold
Energy data sharing, occupancy data sharing, and external system integration via open protocols.
Independent verification
Equipment listed on the DLC Qualified Products List is publicly searchable. We specify listed equipment — you can verify it.
DLC Qualified Products ListFind out what controls would do for your building
Whether you're adding controls to a planned LED retrofit or upgrading an existing system for code compliance, the assessment shows you the specific opportunity for your building.
- ComEd incentive estimate for your building
- Code compliance review against current ASHRAE/IECC requirements
- Recommended control strategy with projected energy savings
- Complete scope and timeline if you decide to proceed
No cost. No commitment. Just the information you need to decide.