October 2022 APEC Southern Illinois KiloWatch

Crackdown on General Service Lamps

October 1, 2022
By Sid Daller

One of the biggest changes that we will be seeing come down the pipeline shortly is an updated federal rule from the Department of Energy. The rule updates the definitions for general service lamps generally between 310 and 3300 lumens for general lighting purposes to require a minimum of 45 lumens per watt. What this means is that what once was an “efficient” option for traditional screw-based lighting that are not downlight retrofit kits will now be required to meet these minimum 45 Lumens/watt requirements and ultimately sunset related incentives for these types of measures at utilities and other means. In terms of timing enforcement is tentative to begin with a prohibition on the manufacture of non-compliant lamps beginning in 2023, and progressing to a fine for retailers that continue to sell them past a mid-year deadline.

For more information, I’ve provided a couple of (somewhat dense) links below. After all, it wouldn’t be a federal rule without lengthy documentation!

https://www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2021-BT-STD-0005-0070 

https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=4

Best,

Sid Daller