Modern Ceiling fan information and new requirements
Implementation of Federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act Regulations for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan
Light Kits As A Result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 In accordance with the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005,
ceiling fans with integrated lighting and ceiling fan light kits manufactured or imported into the United States after Jan. 1,
2009, are required to be shipped to retailers with enough lamps to fill all lamp sockets. The lamps will be included inside
the product packaging at the time of manufacture.
Ceiling Fan and Ceiling Fan Light Kit Lamping Requirements The Department of Energy has divided ceiling fan and
ceiling fan light kit lamps into three distinct categories with differing requirements and implementation dates. See the
following table for details. Regulations for categories A and B took effect on Jan. 1, 2007 and category C is effective
January 1, 2009. Lamp kits using lamps in category C will be required to have a power limiter device (fuse, circuit
breaker, or current limiter) to restrict electrical consumption to 190 watts or less of power.
Ceiling Fan Energy Efficiency Labeling
Manufacturers and resellers shall mark ceiling fan cartons, brochures, catalogs and web sites with each models high
speed electrical performance. The markings will indicate the fan’s CFM, watts and CFM/W in accordance with the
Energy Star Solid-State Method and shall be prominently displayed on every page where the product is offered for sale.
Showroom hang tags are not required to comply with the requirement. The carton efficiency label shall use the format
prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as shown below.
Lighting Showroom Information
The federal requirements for ceiling fan light kits discussed above help to make an energy efficient product (ceiling fans)
even more energy efficient by encouraging the use of energy-efficient light sources for ceiling fan light kits. Benefits to the
consumer are, of course, savings in energy and energy costs.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), are now available with incandescent-like color, high light output and in several
wattages and sizes, including candelabra-based types. These lamps are expected to be widely used in new ceiling fan
light kits. CFLs with screw bases can, of course, be easily installed in existing light kits as well. Soon, solid-state light
sources incorporating LEDs will be available, not just for ambient or decorative illumination, but also for functional lighting
in light kits. A major advantage of CFLs and LEDs is longer lamp life. CFLs are typically rated for 9,000 hours or more
and LEDs are rated for 25,000 hours or more. And both types of lamps are only minimally affected by vibration which
often significantly shortens the life of incandescent lamps used in ceiling fans. Dimming controls for both CFLs and LEDs
are also being developed.
Retailers should remind consumers that all of the lamps required for the light kit are included in the package.
Manufacturers, retailers or consumers who would like more information about these requirements will find a helpful
“Frequently Asked Questions” page at:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/ceiling_fans.html
1. Controls
All ceiling fans are to have speed controls separate from lighting controls, adjustable speed controls, and the capability of
reversible fan action for most fans. The only exemptions identified in this section apply to the reversible fan action
requirement, and are for fans sold for industrial applications, outdoor applications, and cases in which safety standards
would be violated by use of the reversible mode. Effective Jan 1, 2007.
2. Ceiling Fan Light Kits and Ceiling Fans with Integrated Lighting
A. Medium Screw-base Sockets - Ceiling fan light kits and ceiling fans with integrated lighting manufactured on or after
Jan. 1, 2007, must be packaged with screw-base lamps to fill all of the sockets, and these lamps must either meet the
Energy Star Program Requirements for Compact Fluorescent Lamps, version 3.0, or use light sources other than compact
fluorescent lights (CFLs) that have at least equivalent efficacy.
B. Ceiling Fan Light Kits with Pin-Based Sockets for Fluorescent Lamps - Products that have pin-based sockets for
fluorescent lamps manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2007, must be packaged with lamps to fill all of the sockets, and these
lamps must meet the Energy Star Program Requirements for Residential Light Fixtures, version 4.0. The Department of
Energy (DOE) does not consider the GU-24 socket to be acceptable as a pin-based socket.
C. Lamps other than Medium Screw-base or Pin-based for Fluorescent Lamps - Any product with sockets other than
medium screw-base or pin-based for fluorescent lamps manufactured after Jan. 1, 2009, (1) shall not be capable of
operating by incorporation of a fuse, circuit breaker or current limiting device with lamps that total more than 190 watts;
and (2) shall include the lamps that total not more than 190 watts in the ceiling fan light kit.
3. Efficiency Labeling
Ceiling fan cartons, brochures, catalogs and Web sites will be required to provide the products electrical usage at high
speed expressed in CFM, watts and CFM/W per the use of a mandated format as prescribed by the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC). Testing shall be conducted in accordance with the Energy Star Solid-State Method. Hugger fans will
not be required to be labeled. FTC also clarified that this rule does not apply to products for which the DOE has no test
procedure. The DOE has yet to reply to this FTC comment. Effective Jan. 1, 2009.
4. Air Movement Efficiency Standards
The DOE, at its discretion, did not establish an air flow efficiency standard for ceiling fans. Therefore, a separate exempt
classification for Highly Decorative Ceiling Fans was not created. Had DOE ruled to create efficiency standard, Highly
Decorative Ceiling Fans would be classified as exempt and would not be required to comply with the FTC labeling
regulation. The definition of Highly Decorative Ceiling Fan has not been determined.
5. Compliance Certification
A. Controls & Lighting - While products are required to be compliant with the mandatory standards from that effective
date, manufacturers are not required to report under DOE compliance certification and enforcement programs until DOE
finalizes its certification and compliance procedures for new covered products and commercial equipment.
B. FTC Regulations - Each manufacturer or reseller is required to submit a letter of compliance and an annual report
covering all models under production.
Source - American lighting Association
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