Lighting

EPA 430F-08-016 August 2008

ENERGY STAR 

QUALIFIED LIGHTING

ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs, fixtures, and ceiling fans

meet strict energy efficiency criteria without sacrificing

performance. They are a stylish addition to match the décor of

your home or office—while saving energy, money, and the

environment.

FIXTURES

The ENERGY STAR is awarded to both hard-wired and portable 

fixtures, including table lamps, torchieres, suspended fixtures, 

ceiling and close-to-ceiling fixtures, sconces, outdoor fixtures, 

and cabinet, recessed, security, cove, and architectural

lighting. ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures generally use compact

fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS

ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs produce the same bright light as

incandescent bulbs, but use 75 percent less energy. Qualified

CFLs also last up to 10 times longer and only need to be

changed about once every 7 years, on average.

CEILING FANS WITH LIGHTING

Many ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans offer the built-in

convenience and efficiency of compact fluorescent lighting,

which reduces heat output and energy consumption. They

operate 50 percent more efficiently than conventional fans 

with lighting.

HELP FIGHT 

GLOBAL WARMING

Electricity used in our homes predominantly comes from the

burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to

global warming. Simply put, using energy-efficient products

and practices in our homes helps fight global warming by

reducing these greenhouse gas emissions. 

If every household in the United States replaced its five most

frequently used fixtures, or the bulbs in them, with ENERGY

STAR qualified models, Americans would save close to $8

billion each year in energy costs and prevent greenhouse gas

emissions equivalent to those of nearly 10 million cars.

UNITED STATESENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION AGENCYW6202J

ASHINGTON DC 20460

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300

RECYCLED/RECYCLABLE — PRINTED

WITH VEGETABLE OIL BASED INKS ON

RECYCLED PAPER (MINIMUM 50% POSTCONSUMER CONTENT)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

U.S. Department of Energy
Attractive Design and Convenience—ENERGY STAR qualified

fixtures and bulbs combine attractive design with features

created to make life easier and match the décor of your home.

Convenient features include quick-start, no-hum indoor models,

indoor models with dimming or switching capabilities, and

automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors on outdoor models.

Same Amount of Light, Fewer Watts—ENERGY STAR qualified

CFLs provide the same amount of light, or lumens, as traditional

bulbs, but use a smaller amount of energy, or watts. To find the

right CFL for your needs, compare lumens on the packaging. 

For example, if you are looking for a light bulb that gives off the

same amount of light as a 60W incandescent bulb, look for an

ENERGY STAR qualified CFL that puts out 800 lumens or more

(see table below).

CHOOSE ENERGY STAR

QUALIFIED LIGHTING

Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified lighting helps save both

energy and money on utility bills. On average, ENERGY STAR

qualified fixtures use 75 percent less energy than traditional

models. And, replacing a traditional bulb with an ENERGY

STAR qualified CFL can save about $30 or more in energy costs

over its lifetime.* To save even more, replace your most

frequently used fixtures and bulbs with models that have

earned the government’s ENERGY STAR.

With ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures, consumers can realize

significant savings—a total savings of $56** in the example

below that replaces an incandescent ceiling-mount fixture

with an ENERGY STAR qualified model.

WHAT IS ENERGY STAR®?

ENERGY STAR is a label that identifies energyefficient products, such as light fixtures and bulbs,

which meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set

by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR help

you save energy and money without sacrificing

performance. By using less energy, these products

also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions—

caused by the burning of fossil fuels at power

plants—that contribute to global warming.

More than 50 types of products, including lighting,

home office equipment, heating and cooling

equipment, and home electronics can qualify for

the ENERGY STAR. 

The ENERGY STAR program helps businesses 

and individuals fight global warming through

energy-efficient products and practices.

Learn more at www.energystar.gov.

Consider these benefits when purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified

bulbs and fixtures.

Long Life—CFLs last up to 10 times longer than traditional

incandescent light bulbs and only need to be replaced about once

every 7 years—convenient for hard-to-reach fixtures. Note that

while nearly all ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures come with pinbased CFLs hard-wired for energy savings, some qualified outdoor

fixtures offer their energy efficiency benefits through the use of

photocells and motion sensors, and are compatible with

incandescent lighting in these cases.

High Quality—ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs offer the

same amount of light as incandescent or halogen lighting, while

providing a true and natural color without the flicker, hum, or buzz

of their infamous fluorescent predecessors. 

Safety and Reliability—ENERGY STAR qualified lighting follows

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines for fire

safety. CFLs are cooler to the touch. In fact, compared to

incandescent lighting, ENERGY STAR qualified lighting produces

about 75 percent less heat. All lighting models are tested and meet

strict specifications for energy efficiency and quality and come

with a 2-year warranty.

To locate a store near you that carries ENERGY STAR qualified lighting,

use our store locator at www.energystar.gov under “Products.” Simply

enter your zip code, scroll down to check a product box, and click on

“Locate Stores.” 

CHANGE THE WORLD

START WITH ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED LIGHTING

Expenditures

Initial Investments

(fixture cost) $65 $40

Energy Costs $32 $106

Bulb Replacement Cost $0 $7

TOTAL COST $97 $153

Incandescent Fixture

(one 100W bulb)

ENERGY STAR Qualified

Fixture Replacement

(one pin-based 30W bulb)

*Based on a 24W CFL with a life of 6,000 hours and a 75W incandescent bulb with

a life of 1,000 hours at $0.1079 per kWh.

**Based on a pin-based CFL life of 10,000 hours (about 7 years with average use of

4 hours per day) and an incandescent bulb life of 750 hours at $0.106 per kWh,

$0.50 per incandescent bulb.

Incandescent 

Light Bulbs

WATTS

40 450 9-13

60 800 13-15

75 1,100 18-25

100 1,600 23-30

150 2,600 30-52

Common ENERGY STAR

Qualified Light Bulbs

WATTS

Minimum 

Light Output

LUMENS