If you have compared different energy efficient light bulbs, you might have come across lights with DLC label and Energy Star label. Have you ever thought what are they and are there any differences between the two? If your answer to this question is yes, read on to learn more:
What Are DLC lights?
The term DLC in these lights, stand for DesignLights Consortium lights. These DLC lights are similar to that of energy star lights. But the difference is that DLC is a regional group that focuses particularly on energy efficiency in the lighting domain. It is a portion of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership shortly called as NEEP. It was initially focused on Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas.
The purpose of DLC listed lights is to ensure energy efficiency in the construction sector by influencing public policy and by spreading education and strategies.
What Is Energy Star?
Energy Star is the most popular program that began its journey in the United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. The purpose is to use labeling and education to help individuals and businesses to save cost and select products that are safer for the environment. This is why you can see LED light bulbs with energy star rating. However, it is not essential that manufacturers should participate in this program. But, they can participate to produce energy star rated lights to their customers.
What Are The Differences Between The Two?
The Energy Star endorses efficiency among a wide range of products, but DLC is a standard that is specific to the lighting. The crucial difference is that the former is mainly focused towards rating consumer products, while the latter is focused on commercial products. This means that you cannot find both these ratings in a single light bulb.
As there is rarely a crossover between the residential and commercial lights, the government-sponsored energy star rating generally has the right to claim jurisdiction over a specific product. This means that if the Energy Star decides to cover a specific category of light, the DLC will have to drop it, even if they have already rated the product.
How Do They Help?
Irrespective of whether you look for LED Flood lights or parking lot led retrofit or any other light for your home or office use, you can either opt for lights with DLC labels or energy star labels. Both these lights will be safe to the environment. More importantly, they will help you with saving on your energy bills. Furthermore, using a 400 Watt Metal Halide LED Replacement light with any of these ratings will help you enjoy some tax incentives and rebates. This is a motivation given by the Government to encourage people to move to these energy-efficient lights.
