Mr. Green's Blog

California Title 20: Past, Present, and Future

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 11:39 -- MrGreen

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is California’s primary energy policy and planning agency.  To understand why efficiency standards have been such a focus for the agency, one can rewind to 1972, when California faced an energy emergency.  According to the California Resources Agency at the time, energy usage was doubling every 8-10 years.  At that rate, the state would need to build a large number of power plants, based on projections of the new capacity required.  Those power plants, moreover, would require a source of water for cooling, so the state looked toward

ENERGY STAR Smart Home Energy Management Systems

Thu, 08/16/2018 - 14:15 -- MrGreen
On July 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a guided discussion on Smart Home Energy Management Systems. Because the ENERGY STAR label is well known and trusted, the ENERGY STAR team feels that it is in a unique position to address connected functions in products.

New Rules in California Title 20 Lighting Standards

Wed, 04/25/2018 - 10:39 -- MrGreen

On February 8, the California Lighting and Technology Center (CLTC) held a webinar to review major changes went into effect earlier this year in California’s lighting appliance regulations and highlight resources for manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Major changes included updates to lamp regulations and categories, updates to the California Appliance Efficiency Database, and rules on product labeling.

U.S. EPA Releases Most Efficient Product Criteria Specs for 2018

Tue, 09/05/2017 - 11:44 -- MrGreen

The proposed eligibility requirements for the ENERGY STAR® 2018 Most Efficient program are now available for review.

The program, now in its 7th year, promotes the most efficient products in fourteen specific product categories. The 2018 program continues the focus on the current twelve product categories and adds a new one (dehumidifiers). It also re-introduces televisions, temporarily removed in 20171.

California Offers Help in Understanding Title 20 Efficiency Regulations

Thu, 08/10/2017 - 13:51 -- MrGreen

Having problems understanding the ins and outs of California’s Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations? Help is on the way. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has just announced a live, interactive webinar covering the fundamentals of the state’s appliance efficiency standards program.

New Report - Global Adoption of Energy Efficient Lighting

Mon, 06/19/2017 - 11:09 -- MrGreen

The United for Efficiency (U4E) organization recently published a new report entitled "Accelerating the Global Adoption of Energy-Efficient Lighting." The report provides guidelines to countries on how to promote energy-efficient lighting in their respective national markets. The report maintains that following the guidelines will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate significant economic benefits, and enhance energy security.

Australia Looks at Upgrading Lighting Efficiency

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 11:38 -- MrGreen

Through its Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) program, Australia's goal is to deliver a single, integrated program on energy efficiency standards and labelling. The E3 Program recently released a Lighting Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) considering policy proposals to improve the efficiency of residential and commercial lighting.

Products addressed in the lighting RIS are:

EPA Revises ENERGY STAR LED Lamp Spec

Tue, 02/21/2017 - 00:00 -- MrGreen

Late last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the first draft of a proposed revision to the current ENERGY STAR product specification for lamps (light bulbs). The EPA hopes to continue the market transformation of efficient lighting by incorporating spec changes that allow expanded product selection and increased production flexibility.

Key changes proposed for the new version include:

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