Responding to member interest, CEE’s High-Performance Commercial Lighting Committee has expanded the initiative’s portfolio of specifications for lighting systems.

Following approval by the CEE Board of Directors on Jan. 19, the initiative now includes reduced-wattage T8 systems. Because low-wattage systems save energy, provide comparable light to older lighting systems and are relatively easy to change out, they are becoming a popular choice for existing building installations.

Members saw an opportunity for a CEE specification to provide clarification on the technology and facilitate potential energy savings in replacements and retrofits.

Manufacturers were also interested in the development of this specification, and provided their input in the process. Industry has been heavily promoting these systems as an energy-efficient option and the systems have made significant inroads in the T8 marketplace. With CEE’s specification, there now exists an industry-accepted definition of efficient reduced-wattage T8 products.

The reduced-wattage T8 specification, now available on the CEE Web site, includes application guidance as well as product parameters.

“There are applications where reduced-wattage systems are not optimal and we want members to be aware of this,” explained CEE Program Associate Susan Loucks, who is managing the initiative. “These lighting systems can be very efficient, though, when used in the right situations.”

The initiative also promotes high-performance T8 systems, which provide more light output and have fewer performance limitations than reduced wattage systems.

High-performance systems appear to be well suited for use in new construction or major renovation applications, where the need for fewer fixtures can be included in the lighting design.

CEE members now have two viable options for promoting commercial lighting in their programs, one that is better suited to replacements and one for new construction and renovation.

“The reduced-wattage systems save energy and they don’t require a comprehensive effort to install,” said Loucks. “We hope program managers will be able to use this new specification to provide information and guidance on a wider portion of commercial lighting needs.”

For further information about CEE’s Commercial Lighting Initiative, contact Susan Loucks at 617-589-3949, ext. 205.

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