Get More Benefits With ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting fixtures help ensure performance, quality and the long life of the energy efficient bulbs that are used in the fixture. 

As builders investigate different energy efficient lighting options, it is best to look at the lighting system as a whole (fixture, bulbs, ballast, etc) and use fixture manufacturer-recommended components.  Similar to using manufacturer recommended components for your’s cars engine.

Using a screw-in CFL in an incandescent fixture does not ensure quality or performance because the fixture may not be designed for the CFL. Below are several reasons ENERGY STAR fixtures help ensure you and your homebuyer realize the energy savings, performance and quality expected of ENERGY STAR dedicated fixtures:

1)      Designed and Tested to Withstand the Heat. The GU-24 and other bulbs that ship with ENERGY STAR fixture are tested in that fixture to make sure they do not exceed the maximum design temperature for the ballast.  Screw-in CFLs are not tested within the fixture and may fail prematurely if not designed to withstand the temperature in the fixture.  Dedicated fixtures are designed to manage the heat and keep the ballast operating at its optimum.

2)      Aesthetics. Unlike incandescent fixtures with screw-in CFLs, ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures are designed around the GU-24 and pin based bulbs – there’s no unsightly bulb protrusion beyond the decorative glass and the glass color and opacity are considered for optimal aesthetics and comfort.

3)      Color Consistency.  Sea Gull Lighting’s ENERGY STAR fixtures ship with the lamps (excluding linear and recessed); this helps ensure the lamps are all the same color temperature.  It is common that homeowners or contractors will install screw-in CFLs of varying color temperatures causing one fixture to look “warm” while another will look “cool.” 

4)      Quality.  The lamps that are shipped with ENERGY STAR fixtures are tested by independent laboratories to meet the strict efficiency, performance and quality criteria so you can be assured that you are offering a quality energy efficient product that will meet homeowner expectations.

5)      Cost.  When buying a new home, the cost of the fixture is rolled into the mortgage (which is distributed over the term of the loan) and that increased mortgage cost is less than the monthly utility bill savings.  This means the new homeowner immediately sees more money in their pocket, and the upgrade pays for itself!    If homeowners purchase screw-in CFLs after closing they can easily spend more than $100 to retrofit the fixtures (plus their time procuring and installing the bulbs).