In addition to LER, LE5 also contains a calculation for the relative energy costs of each rated luminaire. Because application and operating conditions vary widely, this number is intended for comparison purposes rather than prediction of actual energy usage. Manufacturers have stated that using the new system will add competitive advantage to their products and expect the testing and rating procedures to spread rapidly through the industry. LER and cost ratings are being added to product literature and used as marketing tools. The LE5 document contains a sample format for reporting LER to promote consistency throughout the industry.
Continued participation is encouraged to maintain the voluntary nature of the program.
It can be added to specifications to ensure efficiency levels and used to educate clients. LER should be used along with other application-specific criteria in selecting the proper luminaire. Comparing the LER of two luminaires is not quite as simple as comparing two automobiles' miles per gallon ratings. LE5 distinguishes between the major categories of fluorescent luminaires. Only luminaires within a product category should be compared.