Federal ballast energy regulations took effect Nov. 14, 2014, and they primarily affect the availability of T12 electronic, sign and residential-only ballasts.


The new rules expand previous regulations to cover seven classes of T12, T8 and T5 fluorescent lamp ballasts. They establish a higher baseline of efficiency based on a new metric, and they require a power factor of 0.90+ for nonresidential use and 0.50+ for residential use. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates the new rules will reduce end-use energy costs by $6.7–$21.6 billion.


These product classes, all 120/277-volt (V), 60-hertz linear fluorescent lamp ballasts, include the following:


• Instant- and rapid-start nonresidential ballasts for 4-foot medium bi-pin, 2-foot U-shaped and 8-foot single-pin (“Slimline”) lamps


• Programmed-start nonresidential ballasts for 4-foot medium bi-pin, miniature bi-pin (standard and high output), and 2-foot U-shaped lamps


• Instant- and rapid-start non-sign ballasts for 8-foot high-output lamps


• Programmed-start non-sign ballasts for 8-foot high-output lamps 


• Sign ballasts for 8-foot high-
output lamps


• Instant- and rapid-start residential ballasts for 4-foot medium bi-pin, 2-foot U-shaped and 8-foot single-pin (“Slimline”) lamps


• Programmed-start residential ballasts for 4-foot medium bi-pin and 2-foot U-shaped lamps


Note that outdoor sign and residential-­only ballasts, exempted from previous DOE ballast regulations, are now covered and will be significantly affected.


Exempted are dimming ballasts that dim to 50 percent or lower output, T8 magnetic ballasts labeled and marketed only for use in electromagnetic interference-
sensitive applications (and sold in packages of 10 or fewer units), and programmed-start ballasts operating 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps that deliver less than 140 milliamperes to each lamp (0.71 ballast factor).


The energy standards are based on a new ballast-efficiency metric called ballast luminous efficiency (BLE). The advantage of BLE over ballast-efficacy factor (BEF) is that it is a direct measurement of ballast electrical efficiency. Therefore, it’s more accurate and repeatable, removing variations in results caused by the lamp, which typically represents about 90 percent of the total load in a fluorescent lamp-ballast system. The higher the BLE, the more efficiently it produces light. Contractors should ask manufacturers to provide system input watts and ballast factor numbers for selected ballasts that are correlated to BLE for accurate and true apples-to-apples comparisons.


The new regulations follow previous rulemaking that eliminated a majority of fluorescent magnetic ballasts from the market between 2010 and 2015. In 2012, additional rules eliminated a majority of 4-foot linear and 2-foot U-shaped T12 lamps, many 8-foot T12 and T12HO, and some lower-color-rendering 4-foot T8 lamps. Manufacturers GE, Halco, Osram Sylvania and Philips gained an extension for their 700-series 4-foot T8 lamps, but that exemption expired earlier this year. 


Surviving exemptions include lamps with a color rendering index (CRI) rating of 87 or higher, lamps designed to operate in cold temperatures, ultraviolet lamps, and certain other specialty lamps.


Interviews with GE, Osram Sylvania and Philips representatives revealed likely outcomes of these new rules. Many T12 electronic ballasts comply with the new rules, while some are being redesigned and others discontinued. T12 magnetic sign ballasts are being discontinued, with T12 electronic ballasts as an alternative. A large number of residential-only ballasts are being discontinued while some will be re-engineered. Today’s offering of T8 and T5 electronic ballasts complies. The net effect of the regulation appears to be elimination of previously exempted T12 magnetic sign and residential-only ballasts, and a marginal efficiency improvement in the T12 electronic ballast offering.


Electrical contractors may continue to buy noncompliant ballasts from distributors as long as inventories last. ECs should tell their customers about the new rules while checking with their suppliers to confirm availability of compliant products. The regulations are a further signal that it’s time to upgrade from older T12 systems to compliant, appropriate T8, T5 and LED systems. Additionally, customers using 700 series 4-foot linear T8 lamps should be advised about availability of these lamps, with an eye toward replacing the lamps with 80+ CRI T8 lamps. If the installation is older and features 
previous-generation, basic-grade electronic ballasts—and utility rates are high and/or operating hours are long—there may be an opportunity to upgrade the older T8 system to a higher efficiency T8 system or LED. LED has come a long way in a short time and offers many suitable choices for commercial building general lighting. Also, while many T12 system upgrade rebates have been eliminated, many others are still available, encouraging adoption of LED products.


The new regulations require higher efficiency in fluorescent lighting, primarily in applications still served by T12 magnetic ballasts, and serve as another important milestone in America’s transition to more efficient lighting.