Bedrooms without light fixtures

[Dylan Whitehead]

Could somebody please help? I have inspected a few houses that in all the bedrooms there were no light fixtures. They did have windows and they did have light switches that operated the power outlets. So if the resident had a lamp pluged in the wall it was operated by the light switch. This just dosen't seem right to me and was hoping for some insight on this.

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[Jerry McCarthy]

Dylan
The situation you describe meets NEC code as long as there is at least one receptacle outlet controlled by the switch (hot switch) located adjacent to the bedroom's entry door.

[paul hardy]

Jerry the location of the switch is not a requirement per NEC the only requrement for the switch is that it be a wall switch.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Could somebody please help? I have inspected a few houses that in all the bedrooms there were no light fixtures. They did have windows and they did have light switches that operated the power outlets. So if the resident had a lamp pluged in the wall it was operated by the light switch. This just dosen't seem right to me and was hoping for some insight on this.

Dylan,

Pretty much standard in CA. The builders say it is because they do not know what the buyer will like, but I believe it is simply cost savings.

[Jerry Peck]

The wording from the 2008 NEC. (underlining is mine)
- 210.70 Lighting Outlets Required.
- - Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).
- - - (A) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).
- - - - (1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room and bathroom.
- - - - - Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms, one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.
- - - - - Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be controlled by occupancy sensors that are (1) in addition to wall switches or (2) located at a customary wall switch location and equipped with a manual override that will allow the sensor to function as a wall switch.

That underlined part implies that the wall switch is to be located at a customary location, i.e., near the door.

But 'near the door' is not a required-by-wording location.

[Steve Lowery]

Dylan, that little feature meant that 1/2 a kazillion new rooms didn't need to have a light fixture and wiring. Big money if you're building hundreds of houses a year.

[Rick Hurst]

There's a well known tract home builder here in Texas that has never put a light fixture in any bedroom. Saves them money.

Now they have figured a way to save even more money.

NO window sills below the windows. Just drywall.

They call it being "green" helping save a tree.

[Rick Cantrell]

Speaking of the ways builders save money.
Around hear it's common for the builder not to install;
towel racks, TP holder, soap dish, closet rod and shelf, and sometimes even door and draw pulls.
The reason they say, is " so you can pick out what you want"
Yeah right

[Jerry McCarthy]

Hey, out here on the left coast our tract builders are not to bad, they're still providing wall-to-wall floors, but only in the model homes.

[Michael Greenwalt]

Is the roof optional?

[Jerry Peck]

Michael,

It would be a bit difficult to meet the energy code requirements without a roof.

[Dylan Whitehead]

Thanks again for everybodys input and info. Can always count on all of you for some answers.