What does the new energy label for smart lights mean?
What has changed?
From 1 September 2021, there's a new energy label for lights. It used to range from A++ to E, E being the less energy-efficient. Lights have become increasingly energy-efficient, so they had to add a new plus symbol multiple times. Because those plus symbols weren't very clear for people, they've been replaced. That's why the new energy label runs from A to G. This leaves room for growth, but lights that had A before may now have G or F. So the lights didn't become less energy efficient, only the labels have changed.
How do you read the energy label?
The new energy label is just as clear as the old label. At the top, you'll see the manufacturer and the model. The energy label is in black on the right. In the colors on the left, you'll see the colors of your energy label. At the bottom, you can read the energy consumption per 1000 hours. At the bottom right, there's a QR code that takes you to a website of the European Commission. You can find more information about the light there. Thanks to the QR code, you can tell right away that this is a new label. That's because the old label doesn't have it.
Lights without energy label
Did you come across a light without an energy label? This isn't always a mistake. Since 2019, fixtures aren't required to have an energy label anymore. With fixtures, we mean the entire light. So not just the bulb. With many Hue lights, the lights are built into it, so you can't replace them.
What does this mean for smart lights?
Smart lights are different in terms of the energy label. A regular light emits 1 type of light, while many smart lights are dimmable and emit light in all kinds of colors. That's why with smart lights, the label is based on the maximum consumption. In practice, you almost never put a smart light in the brightest setting and the consumption will be lower. So don't let an F energy label of a Philips Hue light scare you off, as that's the peak consumption.
