Energy Efficiency Standards for the Lighting Industry and Selection Strategy for Energy-Saving Lighting Products

The lighting industry is an important field of energy consumption. Energy efficiency standards are the core means to promote energy conservation and consumption reduction in the industry. Understanding the energy efficiency indicators and selection strategies of various lighting products is of great significance for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.​
China's energy efficiency standard system for lighting products is increasingly improving. At present, mandatory national energy efficiency standards have been formulated for major products such as LED lamps, fluorescent lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps. Taking LED lighting products as an example, the current energy efficiency standard GB 30253-2013 "Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for LED Panel Lamps for General Lighting" classifies products into three energy efficiency grades: Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3, with Grade 1 being the highest energy efficiency level. In 2025, with the advancement of energy-saving technology, the energy efficiency standards will be further upgraded. The luminous efficiency limit of Grade 1 energy efficiency LED lamps will be increased from the current 105lm/W to more than 130lm/W, and at the same time, the coverage of energy efficiency standards will be expanded to include intelligent lighting products and special-purpose lighting products.​
There are significant differences in energy efficiency among different types of lighting products. The luminous efficiency of traditional incandescent lamps is only 10-15lm/W, with a service life of about 1,000 hours, and they have been included in China's elimination catalog. The luminous efficiency of fluorescent lamps is about 50-80lm/W, with a service life of about 8,000-10,000 hours. Their energy-saving effect is better than that of incandescent lamps, but they contain mercury and pollute the environment. The luminous efficiency of LED lamps can reach 150-200lm/W, with a service life of about 50,000 hours, making them currently the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting products. In addition, renewable energy lighting technologies such as solar lighting products and wind energy lighting products have more obvious energy efficiency advantages. They do not consume power from the grid and are suitable for outdoor lighting scenarios.​
When selecting energy-saving lighting products, the following strategies can be followed: Firstly, prioritize the selection of LED products. The energy-saving effect of LED lamps is more than 50% higher than that of traditional lamps, and long-term use can significantly reduce electricity expenses. Secondly, pay attention to the energy efficiency grade and choose products with Grade 1 or Grade 2 energy efficiency. Although the initial purchase cost is higher, the long-term energy-saving benefits are significant. Thirdly, select the appropriate power and luminous efficiency according to the usage scenario to avoid energy waste caused by "using a large lamp for a small space". For example, 10-15W LED lamps are sufficient for bedroom lighting, and 20-30W LED lamps can be selected for living room lighting. Fourthly, choose intelligent lighting products. Through functions such as human body induction, light sensing control, and timing switch, "lights on when people come and off when people leave" can be realized to avoid ineffective lighting. Fifthly, pay attention to the ratio of luminous efficiency to power. The higher the luminous efficiency, the higher the luminous efficiency per unit power, and the better the energy-saving effect.​
In addition, the promotion of energy-saving lighting also needs to be combined with the optimization of lighting design, such as reasonable layout of lamp positions, adoption of zoned lighting, and utilization of natural light. Through the combination of technology selection and design optimization, the maximum energy-saving effect can be achieved.