What is DLC Lighting? : Unlocking Efficiency

In this article, we illuminate the world of DLC-approved fixtures and highlight its importance for modern lighting solutions.

What is DLC Lighting?

DLC, short for DesignLights Consortium, is a lighting certification and qualification standard for high-performance, energy-efficient lighting solutions. The DesignLights Consortium employs a diverse staff of lighting and energy experts who thoroughly vet various lighting solutions and certify those that meet specific energy efficiency, performance, and quality criteria.

You can think of DLC as a companion to the Energy Star rating. Where an Energy Star label is primarily used for individual residential products like CFL light bulbs or TV sets, the DLC label is limited to commercial lighting solutions.

A DLC certification is primarily aimed at large commercial and industrial solutions, where energy efficiency is key. A product can use the DLC-qualified or DLC-certified label only if it is on the DLC Qualified Products List (QPL).

The Design Lights Consortium is very strict about unauthorized use of its DLC logos and Trademarks. Hence, if you see LED lighting products with DLC branding, you can rest assured knowing that the label is authentic.

What does DLC Listed Lighting Mean?

DLC-listed lighting refers to products that are part of the official DLC certification List (QPL). As of this publishing, the Design Lights Consortium offers four types of certifications for the lighting industry.

The DLC guidelines get updated each year to account for the innovation in modern LED technology. As of July 2020, the guideline has been updated to SSL v5.1.

1. DLC Listed

The standard DLC label is for various indoor and outdoor solid-state lighting products. Solid-state refers to LED (lighting emitting diode) based lighting solutions for the commercial lighting industry.

A DLC-listed lighting product has met or exceeded DLC's exceptional quality, performance, and energy efficiency standards. Therefore, it's one of the best eco-friendly lighting solutions on the market.

With over 80 different categories of products, this certification covers nearly every type of LED lighting fixture.

2. DLC LUNA

The Design Lights Consortium's new LUNA certification aims to cover a loophole in the energy efficiency programs at most companies.

While high energy efficiency is always a welcome attribute in a given lighting product, it doesn't count for nighttime light pollution damaging our ecosystem.

DLC LUNA builds on the existing DLC standards and adds additional criteria for nighttime LED operation. LUNA aims to maintain adequate visibility while limiting the negative impact of artificial light on humans, animals, and plants.

LUNA promotes quality and higher energy savings than standard DLC-listed certification.

3. DLC HORT

Another long-standing DLC label is the Horticultural Lightning certification. Environment-controlled agriculture setups have become a staple of our modern society.

 While these indoor farming solutions have been excellent at increasing our crop production, they also come with a huge climate impact. Crops that once grew under abundant natural sunlight now rely on powerful LED lights.

DLC has nearly doubled the number of Hort-QPL products from its humble beginnings in 2020. The consortium estimates we can save a quarter of a billion dollars annually by implementing DLC-recommended horticultural lighting optimizations.

4. DLC Listed Premium

DLC Listed Premium, or simply DLC Premium, is a higher performance and energy classification for commercial LED luminaires. It's specifically designed to identify and promote high-quality, high-efficiency LED lighting fixtures that have passed a more stringent validation process.

DLC Premium acts as an excellent product promotion and advertising initiative. When a lighting product is DLC Listed Premium, it signifies that the product goes above and beyond basic energy efficiency standards.

This designation can be especially relevant for businesses and organizations seeking top-tier, state-of-the-art lighting solutions that provide maximum energy savings and lighting performance.

Following are some basic requirements for DLC Premium certification.

How To Get Your LED Lights DLC Certified?

1. Manufacturers looking to get their products on the DLC listing must complete an Excel-based application detailing the operating parameters of their LED products. 
2. Next, wait for a confirmation email from the DLC team.
3. After an initial review, the team approves your application and asks you to submit the application fee.
4. Once the payment gets cleared the DLC team starts its formal review, checking all the provided documentation and comparing it to their technical requirements.
5. If your product aligns with the consortium's requirements it will achieve a DLC Qualification and land on the coveted QPL list. 

Benefits of DLC Lighting

DLC Lighting offers a wide range of benefits to consumers. But the most prominent ones are as follows.

1. Energy Savings

DLC-listed lighting fixtures are designed to be highly energy-efficient. A lighting solution must have a lumens maintenance rating of L70>50,000 hours for DLC certification and at least L90>36,000 for DLC Premium solutions.

Lumens maintenance ratings describe the number of operational hours after which a light fixture loses its luminance by a certain factor.

LEDs consume significantly less electricity than traditional lighting sources like incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Thus, pairing them with high-quality components further increases their energy efficiency.

2. Extended Lifespan

DLC lighting products typically have a longer lifespan compared to conventional lighting options. Using durable materials and advanced technologies contributes to reduced maintenance costs and fewer replacements over time.

This not only saves money but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of lighting fixtures.

DLC-listed lighting solutions also have a high lumen maintenance rating, which reduces the strain on the LED light bulb and increases its lifespan.

3. Improved Lighting Quality

DLC Lighting is known for providing superior lighting quality. This includes features such as better color rendering, brightness, and uniformity.

Improved lighting quality not only enhances visibility but also contributes to a more comfortable and productive environment, making DLC fixtures a preferred choice in various commercial and industrial settings.

4. Environmental Protection

The Design Lights Consortium was built to reduce the environmental impact of artificial lighting through design optimizations and the promotion of greener energy-efficient lighting products.

DLC-listed products have lower energy consumption, use higher quality parts, and minimize light pollution, thus reducing our ecological footprint associated with lighting.

Using energy-efficient technologies contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change. Additionally, many DLC-approved fixtures are designed with recyclable materials, further minimizing environmental impact.

5. Incentives and Rebates

Many utility companies, governments, and organizations offer incentives and rebates for installing DLC-listed lighting fixtures. These financial incentives encourage businesses and individuals to adopt energy-efficient lighting solutions, providing an additional cost-saving benefit.

LED fixture rebates help offset the higher investment cost of installing new units in your office, factory, or industrial space.

How To Choose DLC Listed Lighting?

Choosing the ideal DLC lighting solution involves a thoughtful process to ensure you select fixtures that meet your specific efficiency, quality, and performance needs.

Here are six quick steps to help you make your decision.

Step 1 - Assess Your Lighting Needs

The first step is to always thoroughly and critically examine your workspace. Consider factors such as the size of the area, the type of activities conducted, and your brightness requirements.

Additionally, you want to identify any specific lighting standards or regulations applicable to your specific business.

Step 2 - Consider Lighting Quality

Next, you want to examine the lighting quality offered by the DLC fixtures. Look for features such as color rendering index (CRI) and correlated color temperature (CCT) to ensure the lighting meets your aesthetic and functional preferences.

• CRI is all about the accuracy of LED lights compared to natural sunlight.
• CCT is the hue of the LED light, ranging from cool blue to warm yellow.

Step 3 - Check for Additional Features

It's always a good idea to check for additional features that may enhance the usability of the lighting.

This includes dimming capabilities, smart lighting capabilities, or accompanying retrofit kits for your existing lighting solutions.

Step 4 - Identify DLC Certification

Properly identify the DLC certification of the lighting products. A quick and convenient method is to check the DLC's official website for a list of certified products.

Step 5 - Look for Incentives and Rebates

Investigate whether there are any local or regional incentives or rebates for choosing DLC lighting. Government programs to promote green initiatives offer businesses rebates or tax breaks as incentives for implementing energy-saving technology.

Step 6 - Consult with Lighting Professionals

Finally, you want to consult with a lighting engineer or an experienced electrician. When it comes to managing large projects, minor details go unnoticed by most. A professional's insight will be greatly helpful here.

If you have specific or complex lighting requirements, a lighting professional can provide tailored recommendations based on your needs and help optimize your lighting design.

Conclusion

DLC certification is a must-have for businesses looking to stay up-to-date with the latest lighting technology. A properly vetted lighting solution helps you save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and rescue your annual operational costs.

The quality standards set by the consortium ensure you are getting the best products available on the market. Lighting designers around the world recommend DLC-approved LED fixtures as a win for the business and a win for the environment.

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