Efficiency Vermont warns shoppers about low-quality LEDs flooding the market
Burlington, VT
Each day more and more light-emitting diode (LED) lighting products are showing up on the shelves of Vermont stores. LEDs are known for requiring very little energy to power, lasting for more than 20 years, and providing excellent quality light. Unfortunately, some LED products have recently started to flood the lighting market that may not perform when it comes to light quality, energy savings, and lifetime. These products are made with cheaper parts, they are generally packaged very similarly to higher-quality, certified products, and they tend to sell for a few dollars less apiece.
Fortunately, there is one way that shoppers can ensure they are choosing the highest-quality product with guaranteed savings. By opting for LED bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® logo, consumers can rest assured that they are getting the most for their money. Many consumers recognize the ENERGY STAR mark as an important guide to buying energy saving products. It means that the product meets a certain level of efficiency and has undergone third party laboratory testing to verify energy savings and quality.
Those less expensive LED bulbs without the ENERGY STAR label often come with claims that are not verified. They may only last a few years, flicker, shift in color, lose brightness over time, look dim, offer uneven light, or continue to use power when turned off. LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR certification must meet many performance criteria set to ensure that consumers have a good and consistent experience. The US Environmental Protection Agency introduced ENERGY STAR in 1992. It was and still is a voluntary labeling program.
“We have partnered with ENERGY STAR since 2000 to bring energy saving, quality products to the Vermont marketplace and to make sure that Vermonters join millions of other Americans in saving $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing carbon pollution by two billion metric tons since 1992,” said Liz Gamache, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “In addition to offering financial incentives on certified efficient products, Efficiency Vermont delivers expertise and advice that helps consumers to make informed purchases in order to get the biggest return from their energy dollars.”
Efficiency Vermont buys down the cost of select ENERGY STAR certified products, including LED bulbs, to make them affordable for Vermonters and cost competitive with the cheaper, non-certified products. “If you buy the bulb without an ENERGY STAR label because of the lower price, keep in mind you may have to buy another replacement bulb soon after. An ENERGY STAR certified bulb is guaranteed to provide consistent, quality light for up to 20 years,” said Lara Bonn, Efficiency Vermont Strategic Planning Manager. “A non-certified LED could start to change color shortly after you buy it and you may find yourself replacing the bulb after just a few years because it has color shifted and turned pink or blue. To make sure that you are getting the best bulb for your money, buy the proven product with the ENERGY STAR label.”
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]