by Brianna Crandall — January 12, 2015—The U.S. Department of Energy announced two new energy efficiency standards December 31 for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and automatic commercial ice makers (ACIMs), making a total of ten new standards finalized this year in support of President Obamas Climate Action Plan.
DOE determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified. DOE concluded in its final rule that amending energy conservation standards for incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs) would not be economically justified at this time.
General service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs)
Typically used for indoor lighting in homes, commercial establishments such as restaurants, and in industrial factories, GSFLs are used on average for approximately 630 hours per household, 4,000 hours per commercial establishment, and 4,500 hours per establishment in the industrial sector each year.
The new standard for GSFLs is expected to help reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution by 90 million metric tons equivalent to the carbon pollution from the annual electricity use of more than 12 million homes and save Americans more than $15 billion in electricity bills through 2030.
Automatic commercial ice makers (ACIMs)
The standard for automatic commercial ice makers, which provide large volumes of ice that is typically used in soft drinks, ice water, and other beverages, and also to keep fresh fish, salad bars, and other products cold, will help reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution by 4 million metric tons and save Americans nearly $600 million in electricity bills through 2030.
This equipment is used in a wide variety of locations, including in hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, hospitals, schools, grocery and other retail stores, and office buildings.
Since the beginning of the current administration, the Energy Department has finalized new efficiency standards for more than 30 household and commercial products, including dishwashers, refrigerators and water heaters, which are estimated to save consumers nearly $480 billion through 2030.
