LED lights to carry energy efficiency labels

New Delhi: Consumers may soon be able to buy LED lights affixed with energy efficiency rating labels as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has launched standards for these lamps.

Initially, the manufacturers of LED (light emitting diode) lights in the country would be required to seek these efficiency rating labels on voluntary basis till December-end next year, as per the scheme launched by BEE early last month.

Under the labeling programme for LED lights, it would be mandatory for the producers to affix efficiency labels on these lights. Like any other product, the energy efficiency of these lights would be denoted in stars ranging from one to five. Thus, more stars <g data-gr-id="45">a LED</g> light has means it is more energy efficient. It is a common perception that LED lights are highly energy efficient.

However, as per BEE standards for labeling these lights, a large number of these products fall in the category of two or three star rating of energy efficiency which means they have to go a long way to <g data-gr-id="33">achieve</g> <g data-gr-id="34">best</g> rating of five stars.

As per BEE standards, LED lights having 79 to 90 lumen per watt fall in the <g data-gr-id="41">two star</g> rating while those having 90 to 105 lumen per watt are rated three <g data-gr-id="39">star</g>. “A large number of LED lights available in the market have lumen ranging from 80 to 105 per watt. The technology is available to improve the efficiency,” a senior BEE official said. 

According to BEE standards, LED lights with 105 to 120 lumen per watt will fall in four <g data-gr-id="46">star</g> rated category and those with more than 120 <g data-gr-id="47">lumen</g> per watt would be rated five <g data-gr-id="48">star</g>. Besides energy efficiency, BEE will also ensure that these products are safe. The producers would have to meet various such standards set for purposes like <g data-gr-id="37">photo-biological</g> safety.

LED lights’ energy efficiency labeling is significant in view of the government’s big push to replace incandescent and CFL lights with LED lamps. The government is running a ‘National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting’ to install LED bulbs for domestic and <g data-gr-id="38">street-lighting</g> in 100 cities by <g data-gr-id="43">March,</g> 2016. LED bulbs have a very long life, almost 50 times more than ordinary bulbs, and 8-10 times that of CFLs, <g data-gr-id="42">and therefore</g> provide both energy and cost savings in the medium term.