New Regulations for ceiling fan lights

ceilingfanrepair · #1 Dec 26, 2007, 03:01 PM

This is what all the retailers have been telling me lately:

However, if you read the corresponding government document, it says this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by EPACT2005

Ceiling Fan Light Kits
EPACT 2005 created three classes of ceiling fan light kits and established mandatory energy and packaging requirements that apply on or after the dates given below:

Ceiling fan light kits with medium screw base sockets (also called "E26" base types) manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, must be packaged with screw-based compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that either meet version 3.0 of the ENERGY STAR CFL program requirements or with energy efficiency (lumens per watts) equivalent or better than comparable ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs.

Ceiling fan light kits with pin-based sockets for fluorescent lamps, manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, must be packaged with lamps in all sockets. These lamps must meet the ENERGY STAR program requirements for Residential Light Fixtures, version 4.0.

Ceiling fan light kits with any other socket type including but not limited to candelabra screw base sockets, intermediate screw-base sockets, 2-pin halogen sockets, and bayonet sockets manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, shall not be capable of operating with lamps that total more than 190 watts and must be packaged with lamps that together total 190 watts or less. DOE indicated in a January 11, 2007, final rule that it recognizes that manufacturers may choose to follow one of several possible design pathways to ensure that the light kit is not capable of operating with lamps that total more than 190 watts. 72 FR 1270.

Here is the document in question:

Appliances & Commercial Equipment Standards: Energy Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light Kits

Has anyone else encountered this yet? At first I was furious at the DOE, as it is more environmentally conscious to offer medium base sockets so compact fluorescents can be used affordably. But it appears the manufacturers have that option, and they are taking the cheap way out.

hvac1000 · Dec 27, 2007, 12:48 PM

You can bet the ceiling fan manufactures will not bite the bullet. The consumer will pay for any changes in the price of the fixture. Good information thanks for posting it. Those compact florescent bulbs are going to look strange in a ceiling fan light.

ballengerb1 · Dec 27, 2007, 01:10 PM

Maybe I have misunderstood this law. I think all it requires is that instead of giving you a standard bulb included with the package they must give you a CFB. The light kit will still be able to accept a standard incandescent bulb medium base.

ballengerb1 · Dec 27, 2007, 04:26 PM

Here is a part I just caught on to. "The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a requirement that all lamps on ceiling fan light kits other than those with medium screw based sockets and pin-based sockets for fluorescent lamps manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, shall not be capable of operating with lamps that in total consume more than 190 watts. (42 U.S.C. 6295(c)) These statutory requirements further the Act's purpose of achieving energy savings during the course of normal operation of ceiling fan light kits. Manufacturers may choose to follow one of several possible design pathways to comply with this energy conservation design standard, including, but not limited to, a fuse, circuit breaker or other current-limiting device. 72 FR 1270.

Current-limiting devices may vary in how quickly they respond, with some responding almost instantaneously to cut off all current when 190 watts is exceeded or to prevent more than 190 watts from being consumed.
"
I guess that means after 1-09 you can still use incandescent bulbs but when you hit 190 watts something will trip. I use CFL in many locations but I really am not fond of the slight delay before they come on full. Bet that will change more in the future.

donf · Dec 28, 2007, 10:06 AM

CFR -

I'm not there but I am here. Also I would have heard you if you had spoken with me, but I am able to read your reference.

So as I interpret your interpretation, there will be no fuses associated with ceiling fans until after Jan 01. 2009. Until that time, there will not be any fuses on a fan, period.

Did I get that correct? LOL

ballengerb1 · Dec 28, 2007, 02:10 PM

Yep, "a fuse, circuit breaker or other current-limiting device. 72 FR 1270." some limiting device will be used after 1-09.

ceilingfanrepair · Dec 28, 2007, 03:04 PM

My understanding of the law is, manufacturers will have to start including them after that date, however we probably wont see them until much later as current inventories deplete. Just like the candelabra bulbs thing started a year ago, but it is just now reaching the retailers in my area.

ballengerb1 · Dec 28, 2007, 06:50 PM

This is just another goofy law. When you look at where most power is being used do you think of ceiling fans, I sure don't. They may limit ceiling lights to 190 watts but will they still allow AC units less than 13 seer or poorly insulated electric water heaters. More power is used creating heat than light.



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