The relabelling of light sources under the new EU/UK energy efficiency framework (implemented in 2021) has created understandable confusion across the lighting industry. Many specifiers are asking why high-quality LED lamps—once rated A+ or A+++—are now showing up as G or F on the energy label.
Below, we unpack what this means in practice, and how to interpret ratings when specifying decorative lighting.
The Technical Basis of Energy Ratings
Energy efficiency in lighting is measured using the lumens per watt (lm/W) ratio, which quantifies how much visible light is produced for every unit of power consumed.
- Incandescent lamps typically achieved 10–15 lm/W.
- Modern LED lamps range between 80–120 lm/W in commercial categories, with some reaching higher in specific formats.
The new regulations intentionally raise the efficiency threshold to ensure the A–B categories remain aspirational for future technological advancements. As a result, products that are objectively efficient compared to legacy sources often fall at the lower end of the current scale.
The 2021 Labelling Change
Previously, energy labels used the extended A+ to A+++ categories, which many consumers associated with "maximum efficiency." However, the proliferation of highly rated products left little room to differentiate emerging technologies.
To address this, the 2021 framework reset the scale, removing "plus" categories and recalibrating thresholds. This has had two key consequences:
- Most current LED lamps fall between E–G, despite being vastly more efficient than incandescent equivalents.
- Higher grades (A–C) are reserved for next-generation lighting technologies not yet in mainstream decorative use.
More on this here: Energy Saving Trust – What you need to know about the new energy label
Zico Lighting: Where Performance Meets Perception
At Zico Lighting, our product development is driven not only by numerical efficiency, but by the qualitative aspects of light that matter in architectural and decorative applications.
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Colour Rendering (CRI 95+)
Unlike standard LEDs (~CRI 80), Zico lamps deliver colour fidelity that closely approximates natural daylight. High CRI is critical in residential, hospitality, and heritage environments where atmosphere, texture, and visual comfort are paramount. -
Dimming Technology
Our lamps are ultra-dimmable (0–100%) with a smooth, linear dimming curve. This ensures compatibility across dimming systems and allows fine control of ambience—features often absent in standard "efficiency-maximised" lamps.
Outlook: Innovation Beyond the Label
Energy labels are an important regulatory tool, but they do not capture all dimensions of lighting performance. For designers and specifiers, it is crucial to balance:
- Regulatory compliance with building standards.
- Quantitative efficiency metrics (Lm/W).
- Qualitative performance factors such as CRI, spectral balance, flicker control, and dimming behaviour.
At Zico Lighting, our R&D continues to explore pathways for improving brightness per watt while preserving the visual comfort and aesthetic integrity that define decorative lighting.
Key Takeaway
When choosing lighting, consider the full spectrum of performance metrics—not just the energy label. A G-rated high-CRI decorative lamp may contribute more to wellbeing and quality than an A-rated lamp optimised solely for lm/W.
Zico Lighting – Because light is more than lumens.