To understand what an ENERGY STAR rating is for LED lighting, we must first understand what the ENERGY STAR certification means and how it began. 

In 1992 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) introduced the ENERGY STAR program. It was setup as a voluntary program to identify and promote energy-efficient products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In 1996 the E.P.A. partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.). The program was established to aid Americans in saving money and to protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

In 2010, the ENERGY STAR program aided Americans saving enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 33 million cars and saved almost $18 billion on their utility bills.

Many products have been ENERGY STAR certified for homes and businesses.  These include appliances, computers, TVs and other electronics, but what does an LED lighting product have to do in order to become ENERGY STAR certified?

To qualify for ENERGY STAR rating, LED lighting products must pass a variety of stringent tests to prove that the products will display the following characteristics:

• 75% less energy than incandescent lamps
• Lasts 15 times longer life span than comparable incandescent lighting
• Brightness is equal to or greater than existing lighting technologies
• Light output remains constant over time
• Excellent color quality
• Efficiency is as good as or better than fluorescent lighting

Did you know that several LED lighting manufacturers now have their lamps ENERGY STAR rated?

Recently, Toshiba Lighting received an ENERGY STAR rating on some of their LED lamps. The Toshiba lamps listed on the ENERGY STAR certified product list include select models of the MR16, PAR20, PAR30, and PAR38 models.

Philips Lighting announced that its’ EnduraLED 12.5W has met or exceeded the quality and energy efficiency requirements for a 60W LED equivalent as set forth by ENERGY STAR program. The lamp lasts 25 times longer and uses 80% less energy than a 60W incandescent bulb. The Philips EnduraLED meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR specifications with 806 lumens, 2700K, a CRI of 80 and a 6-year warranty.

Cree is another LED manufacturer that has qualified for the ENERGY STAR rating for its’ LR4, LR5 and LR6 LED downlights.

There are many different LED lamps on the market today, some of which do not meet the standards as set forth by the ENERGY STAR program. When shopping for an LED lamp for your next project, check and see if the ENERGY STAR logo is on the package.

For more LED lighting information, contact the LED lighting experts at LED Source® at 866.900.4LED.