Lighting ENERGY STAR® Program FAQ

• What is the ENERGY STAR program?

  ENERGY STAR is a dynamic government and industry partnership that offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions, making it easy to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. ENERGY STAR, the nation's symbol for energy efficiency, enables consumers to easily identify energy-efficient appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, buildings, and even new homes.

  Jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this lighting program encourages consumers to switch from using traditional incandescent lamps to more energy efficient lighting technologies, such as fluorescent lighting, outdoor daylight or motion sensors, self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), etc.

• How do I participate in the ENERGY STAR program?

   

  To participate in the program, you first need to become an ENERGY STAR partner by filling out a partnership agreement. This form can be obtained from the ENERGY STAR Web site or by phone at 888-782-7937. Once you are a partner, you can submit products for inclusion into this program.

• Are the ENERGY STAR program requirements published?

   

  Yes. The program requirements are available at http://www.energystar.gov/.

• Are there safety requirements as part of the ENERGY STAR program?

   

  Residential light fixtures:

  ENERGY STAR requires that products be evaluated to UL 1598, the Standard for Safety of  luminaries, UL 153, the Standard for Safety of portable luminaries, and UL 935, the Standard for Safety of fluorescent ballasts as part of the overall program.

  Compact florescent lamps:
  ENERGY STAR requires that products be evaluated to UL 1993, the Standard for Safety of self-ballasted lamps and lamp adapters, as part of the overall program. This can be done as part of an ENERGY STAR evaluation at UL.

• Are there Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements as part of ENERGY STAR?

   

  Yes. ENERGY STAR requires electronic ballasts to be evaluated to FCC part 18 for consumer limits. This can be done as part of an ENERGY STAR evaluation at UL.

• How expensive is an ENERGY STAR investigation?

   

  It depends on the number and type of lighting fixtures, as well as the number of combinations of ballasts and lamps used in the fixtures.

  Fluorescent lamps:
  It depends on the number of lamps and their rated life.

• Can I save money by submitting multiple lamp models or combining services?

   

  Yes. Multiple model submittals and combining services (UL safety, FCC and ENERGY STAR) can save valuable time and money.

• Does testing take a long time?

   

  Residential light fixtures:

  UL can usually complete the ENERGY STAR portion of an investigation and issue a report within three weeks of receiving samples.

  Compact fluorescent lamps:
  UL can issue a pre-qualification report within eight weeks, which can be submitted to ENERGY STAR under their Early Labeling Program. Refer to the ENERGY STAR program requirements for details. The duration of the life test depends on the rated life of the lamp.

• Are there any UL follow-up fees?

   

  No. There are no UL follow-up fees.

• Does my ENERGY STAR certification expire?

   

  No, however ENERGY STAR requirements may change over time. This only applies to residential light fixtures.

• Do I need to test every fixture variation or can one model represent a series?

   

  Each lamp and ballast combination will be tested. For example, if five fixtures use the same lamp and ballast, then one fixture will usually represent the other four. However, if one fixture can use five different combinations of lamp and ballast, then all five variations will need to be tested.

• Are incandescent products covered by the ENERGY STAR program?

   

  Incandescent products usually do not meet the program requirements. Please consult the ENERGY STAR program requirements.

• Are outdoor fixtures covered by the ENERGY STAR program?

   

  Yes. However, there are alternate requirements for outdoor fixtures. Please consult the ENERGY STAR program requirements.

• Can fluorescent ballasts be evaluated under the ENERGY STAR program?

   

  Yes, but they would not carry an ENERGY STAR label. Once the ballast and lamp(s) pass all the necessary tests, the test report can be submitted to ENERGY STAR for review. If acceptable, they will send you a Platform Letter of Qualification indicating your ballast and lamp combination complies with the program requirements. Your customers can use the letter when they submit their fixtures to ENERGY STAR.

• What do I need to do once testing is completed by UL?

   

  You will need to submit the UL test report along with a product qualification form, which can be obtained from the ENERGY STAR Web site. This form also lists the additional documentation you need to provide. Once ENERGY STAR receives your submittal package, they will usually respond to you within five business days. This only applies to compact fluorescent lamps.

• Is there a minimum or a maximum number of hours required?

   

  The ENERGY STAR program requires a minimum average rated lamp life of 6,000 hours. However, lamps can be tested for longer life ratings at your discretion.

• Do I need to send in every model for testing or can a model represent a series?

   

  Every model usually needs to be tested. Even within a series, lamp models may have different efficacy and color properties.

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