Energy Star criteria published for replacement LED lamps

Dec. 3, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the publication of the final Energy Star criteria for Integrated LED Replacement Lamps.

A Cover Letter summarizes stakeholder feedback received on the third draft document, and identifies specific changes to technical requirements made in response to stakeholder feedback and/or additional technical analysis and data gathering.

Download the criteria.

In order for manufacturers to qualify their LED replacement lamps, they first need to sign up as a new ENERGY STAR Partner. These criteria will go into effect on August 31, 2010. Manufacturers are encouraged to become partners and submit their products’ test reports for review and approval in advance of the effective date. Manufacturers are prohibited from labeling their products as Energy Star-qualified prior to August 31, 2010.

Table 1. Requirements for all lamps Table 1 shows some (not all) of the requirements that apply to all lamp types. These include a minimum color rendering index (Ra) of 80, and the R9 value must be greater than 0. Nominal CCT value are 2700K, 3000K, 3500K or 4000K. Also, for a lamp power over 5W, the minimum power factor is 0.7 (no minimum is set for power ≤5W).

Among the many packaging requirements, manufacturers must participate in DOE’s Quality Advocates program and use the Lighting Facts label that is part of that program.

For replacement lamps, different criteria are given depending on whether then lamp is omni-directional, decorative or directional.

For omni-directional lamps the minimum efficacy is 50 lm/W for a lamp power <10W, and 55 lm/W for lamp power ≥10W. Minimum light output is given in terms of the target wattge of the lamp to be replaced. For example, a replacement for a 25W lamp must have an output of at least 200lm, while a replacement for a 60W lamp must have an output of at least 800lm.