Energy Policy & Conservation Act
The new Ballast Luminous Efficiency (BLE) Metric
Distributor Salesperson Training
Presented by: Your Name HERE
ULT Marketing
Universal Lighting Technologies
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EPCA & BLE Overview
The Energy Policy & Conservation Act (EPCA) was signed
into law on November 14, 2011. As part of this larger
Ballast Rule, a new linear fluorescent efficiency standard
became law on January 13, 2012.

The new efficiency measurement standard for
manufacturers is called BLE (Ballast Luminous Efficiency)
and replaces the older Ballast Efficacy Factor (BEF) metric.
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This law comes into enforcement on November 14, 2014.
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This grace period allows manufacturers to make the necessary changes
in design to meet the new efficiency standards.
After this date, the government will prohibit the domestic manufacture
and importation of products that don’t meet the new standards.
This will not affect the sale of any completed units in inventory. Existing
inventories can be sold until they are consumed.
This new DOE 2014 Ballast Rule requires higher efficiency
in many of today’s linear fluorescent ballasts. It will affect
nearly all non-dimming ballasts for linear lamps in the 120
– 277 volt range.
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Legislation Shift to Efficiency
New efficiency requirements will continue to drive the market to higher efficiency T5, T8,
dimming, demand response, and LED solutions.
Why did DOE change the efficiency metric?
What are the advantages of using BLE?
The metric, since 1984, has been Ballast Efficacy Factor
(BEF). In 2011, the Ballast Luminous Efficiency (BLE) metric
was created. Unlike BEF, BLE is based solely on electrical
measurements and removes variability by measuring true
power in and true power out of the ballast. BLE shows the
losses inside the ballast only.
• Clear view of ballast performance – lamp is only a load
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• No photometrics are needed – only electrical measurements
• No reliance on lamp efficacy
• Measurement is repeatable and reliable, minimizes error due to
photometrics
• More accurate measurement of ballast efficiency
• Ballast is measured warm, as actual operation use condition, giving
true picture of steady state performance
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The BLE Calculation
You don’t really need to run the BLE
calculation on your own – the Manufacturer
will do this for you on their products. But, you
should know how this new metric will impact
efficiency.

New BLE minimums represent increases in efficiencies between 5.7% to 26.5% over the average of
the currently available ballasts tested by the DOE.

This is a selling point for continued or further conversions away from outdated technologies.

BLE is defined as the total fluorescent lamp arc power divided by the fluorescent lamp ballast
input power multiplied by the appropriate frequency adjustment.
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BLE efficiency metric minimums were established for 7 product classes:
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IS and RS commercial ballasts that operate 4’, 2’ U-shaped or 8’ slimline lamps
PS commercial ballasts that operate 4’, 2’ U-shaped or 4’ mini bipin lamps
IS and RS ballasts (not classified as sign ballasts) that operate 8’ HO lamps
PS ballasts (not classified as sign ballasts) that operate 8’ HO lamps
Sign ballasts that operate 8’ HO lamps
IS and RS residential ballasts that operate 4’, 2’ U-shaped or 8’ slimline lamps
PS residential ballasts that operate 4’ or 2’ U-shaped lamps
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Coverage, Requirements, & Exceptions
The new Ballast Rule encompasses more ballasts than ever before. Previously, only
ballasts that operated one or two T12 lamps needed to be measured and reported to
DOE. The new rule covers almost all T5, T8 and T12 ballasts.
Coverage:
–
–
–
–
–
Manufactured on or after November 14, 2014
Manufactured in, or imported into, the United States
Operate nominal input voltages at or between 120V and 277V.
Includes sign ballasts
Includes residential ballasts
Requirements:
–
–
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Non-residential ballasts: Power Factor ≥ 0.90
Residential ballasts: Power Factor ≥ 0.50
Residential ballasts: FCC 47CFR Part 18 consumer limits
•
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Sign ballasts: UL Type 2 rating
•
–
Designed, labeled, marketed
Designed, labeled, marketed
All ballasts must meet BLE standard
Exceptions:
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347V and 480V ballasts
Export ballasts (must be labeled)
Dimming ballasts designed to dim to 50% or less of max output
Magnetic T8 ballasts for EMI-sensitive environments (must be labeled)
Low BF (.71) programmed start ballasts that operate 4’ T8 lamps
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Why BLE Matters
Professionals in lighting design, lighting installation, property managers and contractors
should all take note of the new ruling so they can plan accordingly for the new higher
standards of efficiency.
For Manufacturers:
Starting November 14, 2014, the government will prohibit the domestic
manufacture and importation of products that don’t meet the new
standards. Many products already comply, but some do not.
Manufacturers are evaluating their product mix to determine what
models to reengineer or discontinue. These are the ballast types that are
most impacted:
 Most T12 electronic ballasts;
 Most outdoor sign magnetic ballasts;
 Older T8 and T5 instant start and programmed start ballasts.
For Lighting Designers:
 Requesting input watts and ballast factor as derived from BLE ensures
a level playing field in product comparisons. The ability to convert BLE to
BEF allows fixture designers to continue using BEF as a design parameter.
The BEF equation is still BEF = 100*Ballast Factor / Input Power.
 Both LEED and Energy Star building certifications are experiencing
rapid market adoption and growth, and are spearheading the movement
toward “greener” buildings. Certification is earned by gaining credits for
energy reductions and reducing lighting consumption. Dimmable
solutions are top choice!
 Rebates and incentives are becoming quite attractive for owner
investments, as the average rebate improves payback by 20-25%.
Remember there are EPACT tax incentives too. Many utility companies
offer rebates for lighting controls, which will help the building manager /
facility manager with a faster payback.
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For End Users (e.g. contractors):
 Efficiency is the performance parameter for CEE and the NEMA
Premium Ballast Program. This program is still a great resource for
contractors to find the most efficient products within specific
categories.
For Distributors:
 With DOE legislation taking effect in November 2014, most of
the existing T12 products and a number of T8 products will no
longer be manufactured. Distributors should be able to purchase as
normal until manufacturers phase out the products.
 The efficiency requirements will drive the market to higher
efficiency T8, T5, dimming, demand response, and LED solutions.
 Look to the NEMA Premium program and CEE for the highest
efficiency ballasts available today. Most of Universal’s highest
efficiency ballasts are on these lists.
 Contractors will ask for input watts and ballast factors.
Distributors will want to be armed with this info so they can answer
their customer’s questions quickly. This data will continue to be
published on the Universal website (via spec sheets).
 New building energy regulations continue to grow stricter,
demanding not only energy efficiency, but also higher levels of
controllability. In Oct. 2013, all states must certify they have a
commercial building energy code in place at least as stringent as
ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 or justify why they cannot comply.
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CEE & NEMA Premium
Efficiency remains the cornerstone of the CEE and NEMA Premium Ballast Programs, and
continues to be a great resource for the highest efficiency products available on the
market today.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)
provides a list of “High Performance” 4’ T8
lamps, ballasts and dimmable ballasts
which meet the CEE specification. CEE
launched in November 2004 and was
updated in 2007 to include reduced
wattage T8 systems. The lists on their
website are updated monthly and available
for download. The CEE website is:
http://library.cee1.org/content/commercial
-lighting-qualifying-products-lists
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The NEMA Premium Electronic Ballast
Program provides the method for
identifying the most efficient T8 fluorescent
ballasts available in the market and
identifies models that are consistent with
the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)
specifications for high performance lamps
and ballasts, tested in accordance with
ANSI C82 Standards. Approved ballasts
carry the NEMA Premium logo on the
specification sheet and product label. The
NEMA Premium ballast list can be found at
this web address:
http://www.nema.org/technical/pages/ne
ma-premium.aspx
The DOE has a Compliance Certification
Database of all compliant product, and it
should be viewed as a new resource. Their
database will list all the ballasts that ballast
manufacturers submit to the DOE. This
should be the most comprehensive list of
products. However, this data is not yet
complete, but it will be comprehensive and
viewable by November 2014.
http://www.regulations.doe.gov/certificati
on-data/
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Incentive Programs

Demand Response Programs
 The rising demand for energy has resulted with an increasing number of utilities
implementing Demand Response (DR) programs.
 Consumers in these markets will be demanding manual or automatic dimming and energy
management lighting controls to take advantage of the incentives offered, as well as to
avoid associated Peak Demand charges.

Energy Incentive Rebate Programs
 Many state and utility rebate programs moving away from standard lighting upgrades and
toward controllable systems.
 Example: National Grid – Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Program
 Eligible Technologies: Lighting, Lighting controls/sensors
 Amount: Linear Dimming Fixtures: $15-50/fixture, Lighting Sensors: $20-60/sensor
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DSIRE Database
For a list of rebates and energy incentives by state visit the Database of State
Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website. Universal’s website links to
the DSIRE Database: http://www.dsireusa.org/
Click the state in question to view the
available energy rebates.
Select the state or utility rebate
program for your area/
DSIRE summarizes the rebate program
offering, and has a link directly to the
program’s site for more information.
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LEED & EnergySTAR Building Certifications
Both LEED & EnergySTAR building certifications are experiencing rapid market
adoption and growth, and are spearheading the movement toward “greener”
buildings. Certification is earned by gaining credits for energy reductions and reducing
lighting consumption.

These certifications require strict energy
standards to be met.
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The greater the energy reduction, the
more credit earned toward the
certification.
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Lighting energy consumption is a top
choice for reductions because of, “low
hanging fruit,” and because of a better ROI
than HVAC reductions.

Dimmable lighting systems offer the best
results.
 Energy-efficient ballasts/fixtures
 Integrated sensors and switches
 Control system scheduling
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Universal Products – Plan to Remain
Universal is working to proactively position ourselves for 2014. The transition process out
of catalogs that are being discontinued has been underway for several months. Listed here
and on the following pages, by category, are all core ballast catalogs that will remain in our
line. This will allow you to select products with confidence.
Items marked as (“NPI” or new product introductions) are currently in development and
will be launched sometime in 2014, prior EPCA effective date. Expect to see additional
communications as these products become available.
Instant Start Line
IS HP
IS HE
IS EL
Special
B132IUNVHP-N
B132IUNVHE-N (NPI)
B132IUNVEL-N (NPI)
B232I120RES-A/G
B232IUNVHP-N
B232IUNVHE-N (NPI)
B232IUNVEL-N (NPI)
B432I120RES-A
B332IUNVHP-A
B332IUNVHE-A
B332IUNVEL-A
B232IUNV-C
B432IUNVHP-A
B432IUNVHE-A
B432IUNVEL-A
B232IUNV104-A
B259IUNVHP-A
B259IUNVHE-A
B259IUNVEL-A
B234SR120M-A
B260IUNVHP
B232IUNVHEH-A
B234SR277M-A (Export )
B432IUNVHEH-E (NPI)
B240R220-A (Export)
B244I120HE
B244I277HE-A
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Universal Products – Plan to Remain
Programmed Start Line
Sign & Magnetic Lines
PS HE
PS EL
T5
T5HO
SIGN
Magnetic
B132PUNVHE-B
(NPI)
B132PUNVEL-B
(NPI)
B114PUNV70-D
B224PUNV-C
ESB1040-14
443LTCP200C
(Export)
B232PUNVHE-B
B232PUNVEL-B
B128PUNV50-D
B239PUNV-D
ESB216-12
540LTCP (Export)
B332PUNVHE-A
B332PUNVEL-A
B128PUNV60-D
B254PUNV-D
ESB432-14
547RSWSTCP
B432PUNVHE-A
B432PUNVEL-A
B128PUNV70-D
B254PUNVHB-D
ESB848-46
806SLHTCP (Export)
B135PUNV70-D
B254PUNVPL-A
(NPI)
B232PUNVHEH-A
B332PUNVHEH-A
B228PUNV85-D
B254PUNVPLHBA
(NPI)
B432PUNVHEH-E
B228PUNV90-C
B454PUNVPL-E
(NPI)
B286PUNVHE-S
(NPI)
B228PUNV95-D
B454PUNVPLHBE
(NPI)
B295PUNVHE-S
(NPI)
B228PUNV-C
931LHTCP
CF1320H2P
B228PUNV-N
B228PUNV115-D
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Universal Products – Plan to Remain
Other Lines
IS CFL
PS CFL
MISC
IS 347
PS 347
C240SI120RH
C213UNVME
ES1786X (F13T2 PS )
B232I347HPL
B254P347-D
C240SI277RH
CT213UNVME
PS-15 (Mag 12VDC)
B332I347HPL
B254PHRVHB-E
C340SI120RH
C218UNVBE
493B2
B432I347HPL
C213/347ME
C340SI277RH
C218UNVME
B132I347HP
C218/347ME
CT218UNVME
B232I347HP-A
C2642/347ME
C240PUNVHP-B
B332I347HP
C242/347ME
C242UNVBE
B432I347HP
ES1329A (2-F32T8)
C242UNVME
B332IHRVHB-E
ES1510A (1-F32T8)
C2642UNVBE
B259I347HP
C2642UNVME
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Thank you!
The ruling specifies that manufacturers cannot manufacture covered products after Nov
2014. Manufacturers will still be able to sell already produced inventory for a limited
time. Distributors should be able to purchase as normal until manufacturers phase out
the products.
Be Proactive (but not too proactive)! Be aware that the SKUs will be changing. These will be a gradual shift, so while you will
want to begin transitioning to the remaining line, you will want to not yet abandon selling the SKUs that will be obsolete.
Educate Your Customers! Inform and educate your customers. Discuss how and when the changes will impact the product line.
Use NEMA Premium ballasts list for T8s. For now, use the highest efficiency T8 fluorescent ballasts on our line (which is the
ULTim8 family). Gradually you will transition to the line that will be remaining. The NEMA Premium ballast list for T8s can be
found here: http://www.nema.org/technical/pages/nema-premium.aspx
Use the CEE ballasts lists. Go to the Consortium of Energy Efficiency and check their website for a list of CEE ballasts (high
efficiency,
and
dimming).
CEE’s
commercial
lighting
qualifying
list
can
be
found
here:
http://library.cee1.org/content/commercial-lighting-qualifying-products-lists
For more information, please discuss with your Agent, RSM or visit our website at
www.unvlt.com.
This presentation is not meant to replace the current DOE policy in interpretation. It is meant only as broad interpretation subject to DOE modifications. As always, for current and
complete details regarding the DOE rules and regulations, please see their website.
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