Codes + Standards

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program designed to help consumers identify energy-efficient, cost-effective products. To earn the label, a manufacturer’s product must meet strict efficiency and performance criteria established by the Federal government. On Aug. 31, 2010, the final ENERGY STAR criteria for integral LED replacement lamps became effective.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), a member of the Global Lighting Forum (GLF), has announced an initiative to coordinate and promote LED (light emitting diode) technology on a global level. In order to accelerate the uptake of LED lighting, GLF held the inaugural meeting of its LED Working Group recently in Shenzhen, China. In [...]

The Lighting Controls Association has published an article I authored about performance-based approaches to commercial building energy codes. This code approach is more directly linked to actual or expected energy use, potentially allow maximum component tradeoff flexibility between building systems, are considered a way to achieve higher energy savings, and can more easily accommodate alternative [...]

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has published EM 1-2010 Exit Sign Visibility Testing Requirements for Safety and Energy Efficiency. The standard, last published in 2007, was produced by NEMA’s Emergency Lighting Section. EM 1 establishes a high performance category for internally illuminated exit signs that goes beyond former ENERGY STAR requirements and existing CSA and [...]

Green Technology has announced a series of educational seminars to educate the public about CALGreen, California’s new green building code, which becomes mandatory for all new residential and commercial construction in January 2011. Click here for registration details and upcoming dates.

Several interesting energy code and related courses being offered online this fall by ASHRAE through the ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI). Course participants earn three professional development hours, 0.3 CEUs, or three AIA learning units for each seminar completed. Courses are instructor-led, drawing upon professional knowledge of leading practitioners. The courses are: Understanding Standard 189.1 for [...]

The International Dark Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society Boards of Directors have approved the release of the Second Draft of the Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) for Public Review and Comment. These organizations are developing the MLO to address the need for strong, consistent outdoor lighting regulation that addresses energy, glare, light trespass and [...]

The Department of Energy has published a new guide, LED Luminaire Lifetime: Recommendations for Testing and Reporting, which provides an important first step toward consistent, industry-wide understanding of LED fixture lifetime. Download it here. (Bad link has been fixed)

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published SSL 3-2010 High-Power White LED Binning for General Illumination. This marks NEMA’s first solid state lighting (SSL) standard. Produced by NEMA’s Solid State Lighting Section, SSL 3 provides standardized categorization areas (bins) for the colors of “white” light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used for general lighting. LED manufacturers use [...]