ENERGY STAR: Getting the Label

Being so prestigious, getting certified is more than just having an energy efficient product to show. There are various test, and requirements that must be met even before application submission. ENERGY STAR requires a total of 3,000 hours (about 4 ½) worth of test data. This test data includes a number of categories with specific criteria that must be met within each category. Criteria for lighting include

Product variation

A product is allowed to apply, along with it’s variant as long they both have the same lighting input voltage, and aren’t more than 2.5 degrees Celsius above the represented light.

Photometric performance

This specification tests for luminous efficacy, light output, elevated temperature light output ratio, center beam intensity, luminous intensity distribution, correlated color temperature (CCT), color rendering, color maintenance, and color angular uniformity.

Lumen maintenance and rated life

This prerequisite includes testing the rated life, and the rapid cycle stress test

Electrical performance

This category test electrical safety, power factors, frequency, start time, run-up time, transient protection, and standby power consumption.

Controls requirements

Qualifications include dimming performance, maximum/minimum light output, flicker, audible noise, connected product criteria, open access, energy consumption reporting, operation status reporting, remote management, information to consumers.

Lamp toxins reduction

Dimensional requirements

Lamp labeling, packaging and warranty

If the above criteria is met, the information will be sent to EPA recognized certification bodies for further testing. Once the product gets through the third party, ENERGY STAR will pull 10% of samples listed to make sure products are up-to-date with energy efficient trends. If a product fails the annual test, the product is disqualified and certification is revoked.