Department of Energy Releases Ceiling Fan Conservation Standards

The long-awaited conservation standards rule for ceiling fans was released by the Department of Energy (DOE) at the end of 2016. Manufacturers have three years to bring their product offerings into compliance, as the new rule takes effect in early 2020.

ALA’s ceiling fan working group actively engaged DOE staff to strengthen the final rule throughout the lengthy process. Their efforts resulted in significant changes to the final rule, including newly defined product classes. In addition to defining what products are included in the rulemaking, DOE also defined which products are excluded: highly-decorative ceiling fans, belt-driven ceiling fans and ceiling fans whose blades’ plane of rotation cannot be within 45 degrees of horizontal.

Fan manufacturers also sought to improve the rulemakings by making necessary adjustment to the proposed efficiency metrics. After analyzing multiple options, DOE determined that trial standard level 4 and efficiency level 3 are the best choices for hugger and standard ceiling fans. These selections equate to technology improvements of fan optimization and larger direct-drive motors. Additionally, the final rule allows for the continued use of AC motors.

Many of the items on the list of technology options considered by DOE were troublesome to the industry, as were some of the proposed efficiency levels. Inclusion of some or all of the options would have drastically reduced products in the marketplace – severely hindering consumer choice. In the end, consumer choice was upheld and a standard was established that greatly improve the energy efficiency of ceiling fans.

While the formal work on ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits is coming to a close, the industry is moving into the next phase of the regulatory process – compliance. To read the pre-publication version of the final rule please visit the Government Engagement section of the ALA website.