Recently in CFL Lights Category
- Expansion of eligible product categories for CFLs,
- New criteria limits, for the first time, the amount of mercury that CFLs can contain to less than 5 milligrams for most bulbs,
- Includes candelabra-based CFLs
- Incorporates a third-party testing program for all bulbs effective in November of 2008,
- Tightens lamp color requirements and
- Adds high-heat testing requirements for reflector products.
Revised ENERGY STAR® criteria for CFLs takes effect December 2, 2008 - 270 days from issuance of criteria. The criteria for CFLs were last updated in 2003.
These CFL products under the ENERGY STAR® label — which include new categories for CFLs that contain less mercury, new candelabra products and more rigorous testing procedures — are expected to save Americans approximately $30 billion in utility costs over the next five years. More stringent criteria, combined with a greater diversity of energy-saving product options, will allow Americans to more efficiently use energy in their homes.
U.S. Department of Energy Implements More Stringent Criteria for ENERGY STAR® Clothes Washers, Expands CFL Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more stringent
criteria for clothes washers under the ENERGY STAR® label in 2008.
Based on
first-year projected sales data, approximately 1.9 million ENERGY
STAR®-qualified clothes washers will be sold, saving American families
up to $92.4 million annually on their water and utility bills.
The more stringent requirements for clothes washers carrying the ENERGY STAR® label will take effect in two phases. In order to qualify, clothes washers must be a minimum of 43 percent more efficient than current federal energy efficiency standards with a maximum Water Factor (WF) of 7.5, as of July 1, 2009. As of January 1, 2011, clothes washers must be a minimum of 59 percent more efficient with a maximum WF of 6.0. WF measures the water efficiency and is calculated as gallons of water used per cubic foot of capacity – the lower the WF, the more efficient the clothes washer.
Following the 2011 criteria
change for clothes washers, consumers are expected to save $120 million
on utility bills annually, 11.2 billion gallons of water and 659
million kilowatt hours of electricity.
Current ENERGY STAR-qualified clothes washers use 75 percent less energy than clothes washer models manufactured in 1980. The ENERGY STAR® criteria for clothes washers, last modified in January 2007, were drafted with input from stakeholders and public review and comment.
