The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides acquisition guidance for light fixtures or luminaires, a product category covered by ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. Both ENERGY STAR and FEMP provide programmatic guidance for various types of luminaires. Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified products 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 associated ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements for light fixtures are technology neutral, meaning that one technology is not favored over another. Table 1 shows which light fixtures are covered by ENERGY STAR's product specification requirements and which types are covered by FEMP.
On March 13, 2023, EPA announced final ENERGY STAR lighting sunset plans, effective December 31, 2024. For more information, visit the ENERGY STAR lighting sunset web page.
This acquisition guidance was updated in June 2023.
| Table 1. Comparison of ENERGY STAR and FEMP-Designated Coverage of Commercial Lighting Products | |
|---|---|
| Product Categories Covered by the ENERGY STAR Luminaires Specification | Product Categories with FEMP-Designated Efficiency Requirements |
| Directional downlights—recessed, surface mount, or pendant | Exterior lighting |
| Shelf-mounted display and task lights, such as those mounted under overhead storage cabinets | LED Luminaires, such as indoor-troffers, indoor-linear ambient, and high-bay |
| Portable desk lamps | |
| Accent lights, including line-voltage track lighting | |
Find Product Efficiency Requirements
For luminaire types covered by ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides efficiency levels and product specification information on its ENERGY STAR website. Manufacturers meeting these requirements are allowed to display the ENERGY STAR label on complying models. Visit the ENERGY STAR website for the most up-to-date commercial light fixture efficiency levels and product specification information, and a list of qualified light fixtures. For luminaire types covered by FEMP, product efficiency requirements are provided in the relevant product overview guidance. See Table 1 for more information.
Did You Know?
Occupancy sensors can also provide savings for both task and overhead downlight fixtures. Integrated dimming systems with daylight controls are also available for use with downlight fixtures to provide savings when daylight can supplement artificial lighting.
Performance Column
Light Output: Shown in lumens.
Input Power: A measure of power input to the luminaire, shown in watts.
Annual Energy Use: Based on IES LM-79-08 (Electrical and Photometric Measurements of Solid-State Lighting Products) and the test method referenced in 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix R.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an assumed electricity price of $0.099/kWh, which is the average electricity price at federal facilities. Learn more about Federal Government Energy/Water Use and Emissions.
Lifetime Energy Cost: Calculated as the sum of the discounted value of the annual energy cost and assumed product life of 6.4 years based on 10.7 daily operating hours, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Impact of the EISA 2007 Energy Efficiency Standard on General Service Lamps, and rated lifetime of 25,000 hours, based on minimum rated lifetime from ENERGY STAR specifications. Future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate are from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis – 2022: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 (NISTIR 85-3273-37 update 1).
Lifetime Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the less efficient model and the lifetime energy cost of the ENERGY STAR model or best available model.
Best Available Model Column
Calculated based on the June 2023 ENERGY STAR-Qualified Products List; values shown are rounded to the nearest dollar. More efficient models may be introduced to the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance is posted.
ENERGY STAR Model Column
Calculated based on June 2023 ENERGY STAR efficiency levels; values shown are rounded to the nearest dollar. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR efficiency levels.
LESS EFFICIENT Model Column
Calculated based on typical products used in non-federal applications.
Determine When ENERGY STAR 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. ENERGY STAR considers up-front costs and lifetime energy savings when setting required efficiency levels. Federal purchasers can assume ENERGY STAR-qualified products 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 ENERGY STAR’s efficiency requirements (e.g., the best available model).
Purchasing Requirements
Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified products or FEMP-designated products in all product categories covered by these programs and in any acquisition actions that are not specifically exempted by law.
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.
FAR Contract Language
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.
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.
Federal Supply Sources and Product Codes
The federal supply sources for energy-efficient products are the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide programs that help federal agencies buy products with positive environmental attributes.
Identification codes for product categories covered by sustainable acquisition requirements are provided by DLA and the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).
Under the Multiple Award Schedule program, GSA issues long-term governmentwide contracts that provide access to commercial products, services, and solutions at pre-negotiated pricing.
TAKE ACTION
- Review the Multiple Award Schedule program.
- Visit the GSA Advantage! online shopping network.
- Learn about efficient, healthy buildings and environmentally responsible purchasing from the Sustainable Facilities (SF) Tool.
- Review the Multiple Award Schedule program.
DLA offers products through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and online through FedMall (formerly DOD EMALL).
TAKE ACTION
- Visit FedMall.
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.
USDA's BioPreferred Program was created to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. Federal law, the FAR, and Presidential Executive Orders direct that all federal agencies and their contractors purchase biobased products in categories identified by USDA.
TAKE ACTION
EPA offers several resources for choosing which products to buy. The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program helps federal government purchasers utilize private sector standards and ecolabels to identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services.
TAKE ACTION
- Learn more about the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program.
- Review federal purchasing specifications, standards, and ecolabels.
- Get an overview of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and procuring environmentally preferable electronic products.
- Learn more about the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program.
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.
TAKE ACTION
- Review FEMP's table of product codes for ENERGY STAR and FEMP-designated covered product categories.
Light Fixture Schedules and Product Codes
GSA offers light fixtures through the Multiple Award Schedules Hardware & Tools 332510S, Hardware & Tools 332510C, and Industrial Products 33512.
DLA offers commercial light fixture/luminaire models with the ENAC "DC" at the end of the NSN.
The UNSPSC for light fixtures are listed in Table 3.
| Table 3: Product Codes for Light Fixtures | |
|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR Product Category | UNSPSC |
| Commercial Downlighting Fixtures | 39111530 |
| Desk Fixtures | 39111507 |
| Undercabinet Fixtures | 39111528 |
| Downlighting Fixtures | 39111515 |
| Pendant Lighting | 39111522 |
| Recessed Lighting | 39111505 |
| Track Lighting | 39111508 |
Buyer Tips: Make Informed Product Purchases
Downlight luminaires using incandescent lamps do not meet ENERGY STAR performance requirements. Federal law prohibits federal buyers from purchasing incandescent downlights unless the head of their agency determines in writing that an exception is warranted. Currently, all ENERGY STAR-certified luminaires covered by FEMP use LED technology.
Some utilities offer rebates or other incentives for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-qualified products. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to see if your local utility offers these incentives.
User Tips: Use Products More Efficiently
Proper lighting design is critical to maximizing lighting efficiency. Commercial downlight luminaires, in particular, are often used in office and retail environments. Where possible, task lamps and under-cabinet work surface lighting should be used in combination with lower ambient (overhead) light levels. Occupancy sensors can also provide savings for both task and overhead downlight fixtures. Integrated dimming systems with daylight controls are also available for use with downlight fixtures.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this acquisition guidance.