General Service Fluorescent Lamps

THE PRODUCT:

Fluorescent linear lamps have a low pressure mercury electric-discharge source in which a fluorescing coating transforms some of the ultraviolet energy generated by the mercury discharge into light. Fluorescent lamps are manufactured in a variety of shapes (straight- or U-shaped) and types (rapid start and instant start). General service or linear fluorescent lamps are those lamps that satisfy the majority of fluorescent applications, except for some specific lighting applications, such as lamps used in horticulture, cold temperature installations, and others. Common fluorescent lamps include T12 lamps (T12 lamps have a 1.5-inch diameter), T8 lamps (1-inch diameter) and T5 lamps (5/8-inch diameter).

THE STANDARD:

Initial standards for linear fluorescent lamps were enacted by Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, building on standards developed by states. DOE updated the standards in June 2009, and the standards went into effect on July 14, 2012. The efficiency standards vary by type of lamp. The standard for the most common lamp type—4-foot medium bipin, ≤4500K—is 89 lumens per watt. The standards can be met by 800 Series T8 lamps, which are more efficient than 700 Series T8 lamps. 

DOE published a final rule for updated standards in January 2015. For the 4-foot medium bipin, ≤4500K, DOE proposed a minimum of 92.4 lumens per watt, about four percent more efficient than the current standard. According to DOE, for products sold over a 30-year period, the proposed increase would save consumers and businesses over 250 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, between $2-$5.5 billion, and cut CO2 emissions by 160 million metric tons. To put the numbers in perspective, the cumulative electricity savings would be enough to power about 20 million U.S. households for a year and the CO2 savings would equal the annual emissions of over 33 million passenger cars.

Federal standards included an exemption for high color-rendering index (high CRI) fluorescent lamps which has since become a loophole. Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia have adopted standards for the high-CRI lamps. 

KEY FACTS:

Fluorescent lighting accounts for 60–70% of the total lighting electricity consumed by commercial and industrial buildings.

Savings through what year?: 2047
Energy saved (quads): 2.5
CO2 savings (million metric tons): 160
Net present value savings ($billion) 3% discount rate: 5.5
Net present value savings ($billion) 7% discount rate: 2.0

Timeline

Federal Date States
Potential Effective Date of Updated Standard 2026
Updated DOE Standard Due 2023
3rd Federal Standard Effective 2018
Potential Effective Date of Updated Standard 2017
3rd Federal Standard Adopted (DOE) 2015
Updated DOE Standard Due 2014
2nd Federal Standard Effective 2012
Test Procedure - Last Revised - Active Mode 2012
Test Procedure - Last Revised - Active Mode 2012
2nd Federal Standard Adopted (DOE) 2009
1st Federal Standard Effective 1995
1st Federal Standard Adopted (Congress) 1992
EPACT Initial Federal Legislation Enacted 1992

Timeline reflects state standards from 2001 to present; federal standards from inception to present.