The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides acquisition guidance for commercial and industrial light emitting diode (LED) luminaires, a product category covered by FEMP efficiency requirements. Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated products in all product categories covered by these programs and in any acquisition actions that are not specifically exempted by law.
FEMP’s acquisition guidance and efficiency requirements apply to LED luminaires used to provide general or ambient lighting in commercial and industrial buildings. Product performance must be measured in accordance with Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) LM-79-08: Approved Method: Electrical and Photometric Measurements of Solid-State Lighting Products. The performance metric for this product category is luminaire efficacy (LE). It is stated in lumens per watt (lm/W) with a higher number indicating a more efficient product.
Commercial and industrial fluorescent and metal halide luminaires are covered by other FEMP product categories. See FEMP’s product overviews for ceiling-mounted fluorescent luminaires, suspended fluorescent luminaires, and industrial (high/low bay) luminaires for the efficiency requirements and acquisition guidance associated with these product categories.
This acquisition guidance was updated in October 2015.
FIND PRODUCT EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
LED luminaires purchased for use in federal facilities must meet the product qualification criteria for indoor-linear ambient (#7), indoor-troffer (#6), and high-bay (#8) applications in the Design Lights Consortium's (DLC) Technical Requirements Table V3.0 and the luminaire efficiencies listed in Table 1.
| Table 1. Efficiency Requirements for Commercial and Industrial LED Luminaires | ||
|---|---|---|
| Luminaire Type | Light Output | Luminaire Efficiency (LE) |
| Commercial, linear ambient | ≥375 lm/ft | ≥103 lm/W |
| Commercial, 1-foot by 4-foot troffers | ≥1,500 lm | ≥99 lm/W |
| Commercial, 2-foot by 2-foot troffers | ≥2,000 lm | ≥100 lm/W |
| Commercial, 2-foot by 4-foot troffers | ≥3,000 lm | ≥103 lm/W |
| Industrial, low bay | ≥5,000 to <10,000 lm | ≥103 lm/W |
| Industrial, high bay | ≥10,000 lm | ≥100 lm/W |
Light output values come from DLC's Primary Use Technical Requirements for Light Output and Zonal Lumen Distribution (Table 4). Linear ambient luminaire types include luminaires with both direct and indirect lighting components.
MAKE A COST-EFFECTIVE PURCHASE: SAVE MORE THAN $35 PER LUMINAIRE BY BUYING A FEMP-DESIGNATED PRODUCT
FEMP calculated the cost savings for commercial and industrial LED luminaires meeting FEMP’s efficiency requirements.
Commercial 2-Foot by 4-Foot Troffers
For a commercial 2-foot by 4-foot troffer, the required model is cost-effective if it is priced no more than $37 above the less efficient model. The best available model saves the average user more: $61 above the less efficient model. Table 2 compares three types of product purchases and calculates the lifetime cost savings of purchasing efficient models. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.
| Table 2. Lifetime Savings for Efficient Commercial 2-foot by 4-foot Troffers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Best Available | Required Model | Less Efficient |
| Light Output | 4,300 lm | 4,300 lm | 4,300 lm |
| Luminaire Efficacy Rating (LER) | 120 lm/W | 103 lm/W | 85 lm/W |
| Input Power | 36 W | 42 W | 51 W |
| Annual Energy Use | 130 kWh | 151 kWh | 184 kWh |
| Annual Energy Cost | $12 | $14 | $17 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost (15 years) | $148 | $172 | $209 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | $61 | $37 | ====== |
PERFORMANCE COLUMN
Light Output: Shown in lumens, a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a source.
Luminaire Efficacy Rating: Calculated by multiplying the luminaire efficiency by the total rated lamp lumens by the ballast factor, and dividing by the luminaire watts input.
Input Power: Based on the wattage used by a commercial 2-foot by 4-foot troffer.
Annual Energy Use: Based on IES LM-79-08 calculations for commercial 2-foot by 4-foot troffers used an average of 3,600 hours per year for 15 years, which is typical for federal facilities.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an assumed electricity price of $0.09/kWh, which is the average electricity price at federal facilities in the United States.
Lifetime Energy Cost: The sum of the discounted value of annual energy cost and an average luminaire life of 15 years or 50,000 hours. Future utility price trends and a 3% discount rate are from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis – 2015: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709 (NISTIR 85-3273-30).
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the less efficient model and the lifetime energy cost of the required model or best available model.
BEST AVAILABLE MODEL COLUMN
Calculated based on the most efficient model on the market. More efficient models may be introduced to the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance is posted.
REQUIRED MODEL COLUMN
Calculated based on FEMP-designated efficiency requirements. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed FEMP-designated efficiency levels.
LESS EFFICIENT MODEL COLUMN
Calculated based on the minimum federal standard for this product type.
Industrial High Bay LED Luminaires
For an industrial high bay LED luminaire, the required model is cost-effective if it is priced no more than $180 above the less efficient model. The best available model saves even more: $352 above the less efficient model. Table 3 compares three types of product purchases and calculates the lifetime cost savings of purchasing efficient models. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.
| Table 3. Lifetime Savings for Efficient Industrial High Bay LED Luminaires | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Best Available | Required Model | Less Efficient |
| Light Output | 25,000 lm | 25,000 lm | 25,000 lm |
| Luminaire Efficacy Rating (LER) | 120 lm/W | 100 lm/W | 85 lm/W |
| Input Power | 208 W | 250 W | 294 W |
| Annual Energy Use | 749 kWh | 900 kWh | 1,058 kWh |
| Annual Energy Cost | $67 | $81 | $95 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost (15 years) | $853 | $1,025 | $1,205 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | $352 | $180 | ====== |
PERFORMANCE COLUMN
Light Output: Shown in lumens, a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a source.
Luminaire Efficacy Rating: Calculated by multiplying the luminaire efficiency by the total rated lamp lumens by the ballast factor, and dividing by the luminaire watts input.
Input Power: Based on the wattage used by an industrial high bay LED luminaire.
Annual Energy Use: Based on IES LM-79-08 calculations for industrial high bay LED luminaires used an average of 3,600 hours per year for 15 years, which is typical for federal facilities.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an assumed electricity price of $0.09/kWh, which is the average electricity price at federal facilities in the United States.
Lifetime Energy Cost: The sum of the discounted value of annual energy cost and an average luminaire life of 15 years or 50,000 hours. Future utility price trends and a 3% discount rate are from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis – 2015: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709 (NISTIR 85-3273-30).
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the less efficient model and the lifetime energy cost of the required model or best available model.
BEST AVAILABLE MODEL COLUMN
Calculated based on the most efficient model on the market. More efficient models may be introduced to the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance is posted.
REQUIRED MODEL COLUMN
Calculated based on FEMP-designated efficiency requirements. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed FEMP-designated efficiency levels.
LESS EFFICIENT MODEL COLUMN
Calculated based on the minimum federal standard for this product type.
Determine When FEMP-Designated Products Are Cost-Effective
An efficient product is cost-effective when the lifetime energy savings (from avoided energy costs over the life of the product, discounted to present value) exceed the additional up-front cost (if any) compared to a less efficient option. FEMP considers up-front costs and lifetime energy savings when setting required efficiency levels. Federal purchasers can assume that ENERGY STAR-qualified products and products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective. In high-use applications or when energy rates are above the federal average, purchasers may save more if they specify products that exceed federal efficiency requirements, as shown in the Best Available column above.
Claim an Exception to Federal Purchasing Requirements
Products meeting ENERGY STAR or FEMP-designated efficiency requirements may not be life cycle cost-effective in certain low-use applications or in locations with very low rates for electricity or natural gas. However, for most applications, purchasers will find that energy-efficient products have the lowest life cycle cost.
Agencies may claim an exception to federal purchasing requirements through a written finding that no FEMP-designated or ENERGY STAR-qualified product is available to meet functional requirements, or that no such product is life cycle cost-effective for the specific application. Learn more about federal product purchasing requirements.
Incorporate Federal Acquisition Regulation Language in Contracts
These mandatory requirements apply to all forms of procurement, including construction guide and project specifications; renovation, repair, energy service, and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts; lease agreements; acquisitions made using purchase cards; and solicitations for offers. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 23.206 requires agencies to insert the clause at FAR section 52.223-15 into contracts and solicitations that deliver, acquire, furnish, or specify energy-consuming products for use in federal government facilities. To comply with FAR requirements, FEMP recommends that agencies incorporate efficiency requirements into technical specifications, the evaluation criteria of solicitations, and the evaluations of solicitation responses.
Find Federal Supply Sources
The federal supply sources for energy-efficient products are the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). GSA sells products through its Multiple Awards Schedules program and online shopping network, GSA Advantage!. DLA offers products through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and online through DOD EMALL. Products sold through DLA are codified with a 13-digit National Stock Number (NSN) and, in some cases, a two-letter Environmental Attribute Code (ENAC). The ENAC identifies items that have positive environmental characteristics and meet standards set by an approved third party, such as FEMP and ENERGY STAR.
The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) is a worldwide classification system for e-commerce. It contains more than 50,000 commodities, including many used in the federal sector, each with a unique eight-digit, four-level identification code. Manufacturers and vendors are beginning to adopt the UNSPSC classification convention and electronic procurement systems are beginning to include UNSPSC tracking in their software packages. UNSPSCs can help the federal acquisition community identify product categories covered by sustainable acquisition requirements, track purchases of products within those categories, and report on progress toward meeting sustainable acquisition goals. FEMP has developed a table of ENERGY STAR and FEMP-designated covered product categories and related UNSPSC numbers.
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LED LUMINAIRE SCHEDULES AND PRODUCT CODES
GSA offers energy-efficient lighting products through Schedule 51 V (Hardware Superstore) and Schedule 56 (Buildings and Building Materials/Industrial Services and Supplies).
DLA's ENAC for suspended luminaires (i.e., linear ambient) is "HK."
The UNSPSC for light emitting diode fixtures (i.e., LED luminaires) is 39111544.
BUYER TIPS: MAKE INFORMED PRODUCT PURCHASES
LEDs are a relatively new lighting product type that many consumers are not experienced with purchasing. Being an “unknown” commodity makes buying or specifying LEDs more challenging. Fortunately, there are many resources that provide performance data, test reports, case studies, and product information that federal buyers can use to make more informed purchasing decisions.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsors a voluntary testing and labeling program for solid-state lighting called LED Lighting Facts. Through this program DOE partners with lighting manufacturers to improve product quality and ensure consumers that the performance of LED lamps, luminaires, and retrofit kits is accurately represented. DOE and its partners achieve this through verification testing by accredited independent laboratories and using a standardized label with five metrics (i.e., light output, watts input, efficiency, correlated color temperature, and color rendering index). Manufacturing partners pledge to use the LED Lighting Facts label and logo in accordance with DOE guidelines.
Another resource is the Design Lights Consortium, an organization that promotes quality and performance for commercial sector lighting. The DLC’s members and other stakeholders have established technical requirements for 36 LED lighting applications including troffers, linear ambient (i.e., suspended), and industrial luminaires.
The Design Lights Consortium’s technical requirements address other quality and performance issues associated with luminaires such as correlated color temperature, color rendering index, power factor, total harmonic distortion, and lumen maintenance. All troffers and linear ambient luminaires meeting DLC’s standard technical requirements are covered by 5-year manufacturers’ warranties. LED luminaires meeting these requirements can be easily found in DLC’s Qualified Products List, a searchable online database with more than 100,000 solid-state lighting products.
In addition, luminaire efficiencies are listed in manufacturers' product catalogs, technical specifications, and photometric reports. If luminaire efficiency is not listed, buyers may calculate it using luminous flux (measured light output) and luminaire watts input (measured power input) in the following equation:
LE = (Luminous Flux) / (Luminaire Watts Input)
DESIGN AND INSTALLATION TIPS: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Efficient design includes providing adequate lighting for the application and tasks using the lighting levels recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). Buyers should follow building code requirements, which may have limits to watts per square foot as well as prescriptive requirements, and take care not to over-light a space, a practice that wastes both energy and money.
Compare efficiencies (i.e., LEs) only between like products. Luminaire size and style may be selected for a variety of reasons based on the application, including aesthetics, light output, and light distribution. Comparing the efficiencies of unlike products can lead to selecting the wrong luminaire for the lighting application.
USER TIPS: USE PRODUCTS MORE EFFICIENTLY
In addition to selecting the optimal luminaire for the application, building operators should operate lighting only when needed. The use of lighting controls, such as occupancy sensors, task tuning, and dimming when daylight is present (where applicable), should be considered to facilitate further energy savings. LED luminaires are compatible with many control strategies and systems.
Unlike fluorescent luminaires that require regular replacement of lamps and ballasts, the components in LED luminaires have very long lives that, in general, don’t need replacing. This feature greatly reduces the maintenance requirements and related costs for LED luminaires. This savings should be considered when replacing fluorescent luminaires with LEDs.
Some LED luminaires can last up to 100,000 hours under normal operating conditions; much longer than any other light source. Because of this, facilities engineering and maintenance personnel need to adopt different maintenance approaches. For example, the amount of light emitted by LED luminaires will depreciate over time and eventually reach a point where the spaces in which they are installed become under-lit. Typically this occurs when lumen output drops to 70% or less of the original level. It is important to periodically check light levels; when lumen output drops 25% below initial levels it is time to start planning to replace LED luminaires.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this acquisition guidance.