GE Takes to Web to Help Customers Navigate New Lighting Regulations

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fresh research from GE indicates that most U.S. consumers—77 percent—don’t know that starting in 2012 and continuing through 2014, federal government legislation aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will ban the manufacture of standard incandescent light bulbs. In sum:

“Our goal is to help people make better lighting decisions today”

• 100-watt bulbs may no longer be manufactured beginning in January 2012;
• 75-watt bulbs may no longer be manufactured beginning in January 2013; and
• 60- and 40-watt bulbs may no longer be manufactured beginning in January 2014.

GE has businesses and homeowners covered each step of the way with online tools such as its new Legislation Product Replacement (LPR) tool (www.gelighting.com/legislation) and new Understanding 2012 Lighting Legislation content (www.gelighting.com/2012). In concert with GE’s award-winning Environmental Information Center (www.gelighting.com/EIC), the three sites provide details on mandates, energy-saving calculators and product replacement guides that lighting consumers can use to make informed decisions about which products are most fitting—in light of the new laws—for a wide range of applications.

“Our goal is to help people make better lighting decisions today,” says Brian Sroub, chief marketing officer, GE Lighting. “We want customers to know that alternatives such halogen, compact fluorescent and solid-state lighting products and systems from GE already meet looming federal efficiency standards.”

State of California laws preempt the federal laws by essentially taking effect a year earlier.

Legislation Product Replacement tool (www.gelighting.com/legislation)

An industry-first Web site, GE’s LPR tool is an interactive resource that the specification community of architects, engineers, lighting designers and others allied to the field, plus consumers, can use to gain insight and information on products impacted by recent and upcoming legislation. It provides a complete listing of deregulated products alongside energy-saving, longer life alternatives.

“Simply plug in a product code and you’re on your way to energy savings and meeting the forthcoming lighting efficiency standards,” says Sroub.

Visitors can use the tool to determine if consumer and commercial bulbs and ballasts are in compliance with specific state energy codes and regulations, as well as recent or upcoming laws such as 2009 Department of Energy regulations; 2008 California Title 20 A-Line regulations; the 2007 Energy and Independence Security Act; and the 2005 Energy Policy Act. GE also offers product-line strategies that address legislative imperatives and help visitors better understand replacement options.

Understanding 2012 Lighting Legislation content (www.gelighting.com/2012)

This new consumer-focused site provides a step-by-step explanation of the 2012 legislation, how to prepare for it and what product options are available. The site offers simple energy-saving calculations, as well as tips on how to select the right light for specific applications or rooms via a link to GE’s www.whatsyourlightingstyle.com.

Environmental Information Center (www.gelighting.com/EIC)

With more than 4,000 unique monthly visitors to the site since its launch just over a year ago, GE’s Environmental Information Center is a one-stop information gathering and learning center for sustainability trends and issues in the lighting and electrical industries. The award-winning site is designed for architects, lighting designers, end-user customers, OEMs, distributors and contractors. It provides a wealth of easy-to-use tools to help make informed lighting decisions such as a picogram calculator, energy and environmental impact estimator, as well as other lighting tips and statistics. Visitors can also find the latest information on energy and environmental policies, including the ENERGY STAR® Building Rating System, LEED® Certification, federal and state legislation, environmental and technical reference data including MSDS sheets, TCLP test results, technical white papers and a subscription option for quarterly environmental newsletters.

About GE – Appliances & Lighting

GE – Appliances & Lighting spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination^SM initiative enable GE – Appliances & Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.