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ASAP

Torchiere Lighting Fixtures

Last Updated: October 2007
See the federal standards main page to view current status

Torchiere lighting fixtures are generally floor lamps that aim light upward to bounce off the ceiling.  Originally most of these fixtures used very bright halogen lamps, but after well-publicized fire hazards, most fixtures now sold use either incandescent or fluorescent lamps.

Several states adopted standards requiring torchiere lighting fixtures to use no more than 190 W.  The intent was to encourage use of CFL fixtures while permitting incandescent fixtures using less than 190 W.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 made this same standard a national standard, effective January 2006.  Specifically, the requirement is that torchiere fixtures not be capable of using more than 190 W, meaning that some type of shutoff must be employed to turn the lights off if more than 190 W are used.

• Federal Documentation (DOE Web site)

There is no recent ASAP activity regarding mercury vapor lamp ballasts.