Questions and Answers

Government of Canada announces commitment to set performance standards for all lighting that would phase out inefficient light bulbs in common applications by 2012.

Q. 1 What was announced?

Canada's New Government announced its commitment to setting performance standards for all lighting that would phase out the use of inefficient incandescent light bulbs in common applications by 2012, through the Regulations under Canada's Energy Efficiency Act.

Q. 2 What effect will this announcement have on the bans on inefficient light bulbs that are being proposed or already announced by provinces and territories?

Canada is proposing an approach that involves stakeholders such as provincial governments, electric utilities, manufacturers and distributors that will result, by the end of 2007, in the definition of a standard that will eliminate low-efficiency lighting. The standard is expected to be effective by 2012. Because the lighting market is global in scope, and other jurisdictions are contemplating similar measures, Canada's objective is to ensure that efforts are harmonized with those of other trading partners.

As with all regulatory proposals put forward, Canada will embark on a public consultation process which engages all provinces and territories to ensure that the legislation is harmonized.

Q. 3 Why is Canada proposing a regulation? Consumers seem to be buying lots of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) already.

Thanks to the activities of Canadian electricity utilities, retailers, non-government organizations and others, including the Government of Canada, to promote more efficient lighting choices, the market for efficient lighting alternatives such as CFLs has grown significantly in recent years.

Canada is proposing a regulation to ensure that consumers can have confidence that the lighting they choose meets a minimum requirement for efficiency. The new standards will also provide certainty for manufacturers, and support those who invest in the development of innovative new products to meet regulatory and consumer demand for efficient, effective and attractive lighting.

Canada's move to ban inefficient lights will also allow our country to assume a leadership role internationally, and to influence the development of global standards for lighting energy efficiency.

Q. 4 Is it reasonable to expect that the lighting industry can provide additional replacements on such short notice?

Yes. The lighting industry's track record is good. A few years ago compact fluorescent lamps were virtually unknown or difficult to find in stores. Most Christmas lights, exit signs and traffic signals were incandescent.

Today, the market has significantly shifted to more efficient lighting sources – compact fluorescents come in all types, sizes and light output; Christmas lights, exit signs and traffic signals are almost exclusively LED type lamps.

Philips Lighting, a major manufacturer of lighting products sold around the world, reports that for the first time in history, worldwide sales of incandescent lights have declined. In contrast, the sale of compact fluorescent lights is reaching new heights.

Q. 5 What has the federal government done to encourage the use efficient lighting?

The Government of Canada, in partnership with a number of stakeholders across Canada, has been promoting the use of energy efficient lighting in all sectors, through a number of programs including ENERGY STAR® and the ecoENERGY Retrofit initiatives for the residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors.

ENERGY STAR® in Canada promotes technical specifications for compact fluorescent lamps and residential fixtures, and is the de facto standard for utilities and program implementers when specifying high-efficiency lighting products. The ENERGY STAR® symbol on products identifies that they have been tested to a standard for their efficiency, life, and light output. The majority of compact fluorescents sold in Canada are ENERGY STAR® qualified.

Canada has also spearheaded the development of a high efficiency ENERGY STAR® specification for decorative light strings, and it is expected that manufacturers of these lights will be promoting their new ENERGY STAR® qualified light strings in the Fall.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit initiative provides homeowners with a grant to improve their home's energy efficiency. Under this new residential energy-efficiency assessment service, property owners can qualify for a federal grant. While there is no grant for lighting conversions, the program assessors will inform consumers as to where lighting improvements can be made.

The Government of Canada, through its Sustainable Development Strategies, has embarked on a coordinated approach to green its operations, and adopt procurement practices that will ensure the government becomes a model of environmental operations in its own operations, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Q. 6 Are the substitutes to the inefficient lighting products proven technology? What about compact fluorescent lamps for example?

The use of compact fluorescents is far more common than most people realize. A July 2006 survey for the Canadian Electricity Association indicates that 70% of Canadians have replaced at least one regular incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent. Of these:
-  24% have replaced on average one to four bulbs;
-  23 % have replaced five to seven bulbs;
-  28% have replaced eight to 12
-  19 % 13 or more.

Over 29 million compact fluorescents have come into Canada in 2006, up from 13 million in 2004. Clearly, their use is widespread and growing.

Q. 7 What kind of light bulbs does the Government of Canada have in its buildings?

As the federal government retrofits its offices, energy-efficient lighting, such as T8 fluorescent lamps are installed. Pot lights are typically compact fluorescents.

Natural Resources Canada's head office has undergone a significant lighting retrofit which includes controls to turn off ceiling lights automatically during silent hours. Lighting controls have also been installed in specific areas to turn lights off when the space is unused.

Natural Resources Canada has declared the 580 Booth building a no-incandescent zone
 

Q. 8 What kind of savings can the average homeowner expect by switching to more efficient lighting products?

It is expected that consumers could save around $50 per year on their electricity bills. In residential lighting alone, replacing conventional incandescent bulbs with high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent bulbs could save Canadian consumers almost $600 million a year on their energy bills.
 

Q. 9 What kind of emission reduction will be achieved?

The environmental benefits of energy efficient lighting are impressive. It is estimated that the lighting efficiency standards could help Canadians reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the residential and commercial sectors by more than six million tonnes a year, equivalent to taking 1.4 million vehicles off the road.

Q. 10 Will incandescent bulbs be banned altogether? What about the light bulbs in my chandelier or in my oven?

The decision regarding what will stay and what will remain will be done in consultation with stakeholders and the public. The current target is the common, medium screw base A-shaped incandescent lamp because there are effective energy efficient replacements available on the market. "Effective" takes into account many attributes such as costs, energy savings, safety and functionality. All types of incandescent bulbs will be looked at, and if at such time, there is an effective replacement lamp for chandelier type end-uses or appliance lights, then a standard may be considered for that product. The objective of this regulatory proposal is not to cause hardship on Canadians but to ensure that there are practical and effective replacements for inefficient lamps.

Q. 11 I have tri-light fixtures and/or dimmers — when can we expect the technology to address these applications, and at a reasonable price?

Again, this will have to be done in consultation. Trilights, dimmable compact fluorescents and dimmers for compact fluorescents are commercially available now. It is anticipated that the lead time will allow industry to transition to the standards and provide cost-effective replacement products. Part of the consultation will be to identify all end uses and ensure that there are effective replacement products. This may result in identifying exceptions to the standards where these are not available.

Q. 12 Compact fluorescents often sell for $10 and more. Where will low-income families get the money to buy a these high-efficiency bulbs?

Compact fluorescents are often available in bulk for as low as $2 per lamp. As well, no one will be expected to replace every inefficient bulb in their home or business at the same time – we expect many consumers will simply install more efficient bulbs as their old, inefficient bulbs burn out.

It is important to remember also that even though there is an initial higher cost, owners will recoup that cost and more through energy savings over the lifetime of the lamp. This will particularly advantage low-income families.

Q. 13 What about the quality of the lighting? Some complain that CFLs take too long to "brighten."

The quality of the lamp and light has improved tremendously over the last few years. A lot of people had experience with older technology.
 

Q. 14 What other efficient options are there beyond compact fluorescent lamps?

Manufacturers have already developed new innovative technologies such as high-efficiency incandescents and halogens. Other light sources such as Light Emitting Diodes (LED) that are currently used commonly in exit signs, traffic signals and for car / truck lights (where they have replaced incandescent) already show promise as future replacement options for general lighting applications. Manufacturers are constantly introducing new more efficient products, and their incentive to do so is sparked by increasing demands from the commercial and residential sectors.

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