Mr. Green's Blog

California Revises LED Quality Spec Requirements

LED lamp manufacturers now have to meet new efficacy and performance requirements to qualify for California based rebates.

In December, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved version 3 of its LED lamp quality specifications. Started in 2012, the Voluntary California Quality LED Lamp Specification program sets minimum requirements that lamps must meet in order to be eligible for state-funded investor owned utility (IOU) rebate programs. The revised requirements became effective January 1, 2017.

Efficiency Harmonization Continues Between Canada and the U.S.

Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations now include an amendment updating the efficiency standards of 20 current product categories. Amendment 13, published in late December 2016, becomes effective on June 28th of this year.

Canada's first Energy Efficiency Regulations came into effect in 1995. To stay current with the market, the regulations are amended periodically. Amendment 13 harmonizes current Canadian efficiency standards with existing or recently published U.S. efficiency standards for a number of residential, commercial/industrial, and lighting products.

U.S. DOE Proposes New General Service Lamp Efficiency Requirements

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a pre-publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) on Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps (GSLs).

A GSL is defined as any lamp having an ANSI base that is used in general lighting applications that:

California Energy Commission Approves LED Lamp Standard

Last year, I wrote about the California Energy Commission's (CEC) proposed lamp (bulb) standard, projected to save residents and businesses more than $4 billion in energy costs over 13 years (see Mr. Green blog: California Energy Commission Illuminates Lamp Standard Proposal). Last week, the Commissioners voted to approve that standard, making it the U.S.'s first mandatory state lamp efficiency/quality regulations.

Moving Closer to a New ENERGY STAR Lamp Specification

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published the final draft of its version 2 ENERGY STAR lamp (light bulb) program specification. The agency and industry stakeholders have been working on the new lamp program requirements for the better part of a year (see my earlier Mr. Green blog, "ENERGY STAR's Lamp Program Revision Process Switches On").

Getting Closer to a California LED Lamp Standard?

Last month, I attended a public hearing on the California Energy Commission's (CEC) proposed standards for general service LED lamps and small diameter directional lamps.

Taming the Plug Load Beast

The Golden State is looking for suggestions on how to reduce plug load¹ energy consumption… and it's willing to help cover some of the development costs.

California Energy Commission Illuminates Lamp Standard Proposal

Is California poised to introduce the country’s first mandatory efficiency/quality regulations for LED lamps?

A few days ago, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released proposed lamp standards that could save residents and businesses more than $4 billion in energy costs over 13 years. The action is a result of state legislation requiring the CEC to adopt standards to reduce residential lighting energy consumption by 50 percent and business lighting energy consumption by 25 percent by 2018, compared to 2007 levels.

Assessing Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling Programs

Since the 1970’s, national energy efficiency standards and labeling (EESL) programs have been put in place to help reduce the world’s increasing energy appetite and corresponding CO₂ emissions production. Today, EESL programs operate in 80+ countries and cover over 50 types of appliances and equipment.

A new report published by the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Energy Efficient End-use Equipment (4E) group provides a global assessment of the achievements of major EESL programs. Data from over 100 reports and more than 20 countries was used.

California Energy Commission Approves New Building Efficiency Standards

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved revised building efficiency standards that have been in discussion for the past year. The process began last summer when workshops were held to consider changes to California's Title 24 law, covering energy using products found in residential and non-residential buildings. The new standards (entitled 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards) will take effect on January 1, 2017.