Proposed Regulations for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

Proposed Amendment to Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations

BULLETIN (Update)
December 2002

FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLASTS

In July 2001, Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) issued a proposal to amend the Regulations of Canada's Energy Efficiency Act to increase the minimum ballast efficacy for fluorescent lamp ballasts.

OEE circulated the bulletin to more than 70 stakeholders, including manufacturers, industry associations, dealers and user groups. The closing date for comments was August 20, 2001.

OEE received 4 written comments which, in general, supported the proposed amendment. The one concern raised was with regard to the effective date of the new levels. NRCan had proposed that all fluorescent lamp ballasts manufactured after April 1, 2005 be required to meet the stated levels. This caused concern due to the perceived low penetration of higher efficacy ballasts in the market and the potential for "stranding" users who continue to install magnetic ballasts in new installations. NRCan has evaluated two scenarios; the one put forward in the original bulletin and the second for a possible later effective date for "replacement" ballasts. The environmental impact of the later implementation date for replacement ballasts is minimal. Consequently NRCan is proposed the following.

This bulletin attempts to put the requirements of the amendment in simpler terms. However, the legal text of the amendment, as in the Canada Gazette Part I, is the official document.

Product Description

NRCan is proposing that the Regulations will apply to ballasts intended to operate in the following; F32T8, F34T12, F40T10, or F40T12 rapid start; or F96T12IS, F96T12ES, F96T12HO, or F96T12HO ES fluorescent lamps (these ballasts are all currently regulated).

Replacement Ballasts shall be:

1. shipped in packages containing not more than 10 units;
2. the total length of the output leads shall be shorter than the length of the lamps;
3. shall be marked "FOR REPLACEMENT USE ONLY".

Ballasts designed for use in ambient temperatures of -17.8° C or lower are specifically excluded from this regulation.

Energy Performance Test Procedure

The Canadian Standards Association standard, CAN/CSA-C654-M91 (Amended 2001) Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Efficacy Measurements, is the proposed test procedure for fluorescent lamp ballasts prescribed under the proposed amendment.

The standard can be ordered from:

Canadian Standards Association
178 Rexdale Boulevard
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9W 1R3
1 800 463-6727 (toll-free)
(416) 747-4044 (in Toronto)
http://csa.ca

Energy Efficiency Standards

The proposed minimum ballast efficacy factor will be as found in the Canadian Standards Association standard, CAN/CSA-C654-M91 Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Efficacy Measurements, section 4.1, Column B.

¹Also for use on 34W/48T12/RS and 40W/48T10/RS lamps
²Also for use on 34W/48T12/RS and 40W/48T10/RS lamps
³Also for use on 60W/96T12/IS lamps
⁴Also for use on 95W/96T12/HO lamps

Economic and Environmental Analysis

NRCan employed a benefit-cost analysis to determine the economic attractiveness of improving the energy efficiency of fluorescent lamp ballasts. The net present value, calculated by subtracting the present value of the incremental costs from the present value of the incremental benefits over the life of the product was chosen as the indicator of economic attractiveness. The base case analysis used a 7 percent social discount rate and Canada average real commercial and industrial electricity prices based on NRCan's official energy supply and demand forecast (Canada's Energy Outlook 1992-2020: Update 1999). Sensitivity analyses were conducted around the discount rate (10 and 5 percent) and energy prices (high and low commercial and industrial electricity prices)

The economic analysis showed positive net benefits for the base case in seven of the eight cases studied. The sensitivity analyses around the discount rate and electricity prices yielded robust results that support the case for increasing the stringency of the minimum energy performance standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts.

The energy savings and CO2 analyses were conducted by comparing the forecasted energy use of the commercial and industrial fluorescent lamp ballast market with the amendment and without. (ie. baseline) The amendment is forecasted to save 0.2 PJ of energy and 0.03 Mt of GHG emissions in 2005 and 3.0 PJ of energy and 0.40 Mt of GHG emissions in 2020.

Effective Date>

NRCan is proposing that the energy efficiency standard for fluorescent lamp ballasts come into effect on April 1, 2005. The effective date for Replacement Ballasts will be April 1, 2010. All ballasts as described in this document, manufactured after these dates, will be required to meet the stated levels.

Labelling Requirements

No labelling requirements will be introduced at this time.

Verification, Reporting and Importing Requirements

NRCan proposes no changes to the verification, reporting and importing requirements currently in place for fluorescent lamp ballasts.

Harmonization

While as much as possible NRCan attempts to harmonize with other regulatory agencies there are some distinct differences between the DOE Final Rule (10CFR Part 430) and this proposed amendment, including:

1. NRCan sets minimum levels for ballast input voltages of 120V, 277V and 347V, 10 CFR Part 430 includes 120V and 277V only.
2. NRCan sets minimum levels for ballasts designed to operate with F32T8 lamps.
3. NRCan includes the residential market.

Comments Invited

All correspondence should be forwarded to:

Katherine Delves
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
615 Booth Street, 4th floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4
Tel.: (613) 947-1207
Fax: (613) 947-5286
E-mail
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/home_page.cfm