U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Federal Energy Management Program – Energy-Efficient Products
FEMP Designated Product: Fluorescent Luminaires
Legal Authorities
Federal agencies are required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 23.2 to specify and buy ENERGY STAR®-qualified products or, in categories with no ENERGY STAR label, FEMP-designated products which are among the highest 25 percent of equivalent products for energy efficiency.
Information about energy-efficient fluorescent luminaires in this section includes the following:
Also provided is a portable document format version of Purchasing Specifications for Fluorescent Luminaires (PDF 240 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
| Performance Requirement for Federal Purchases |
Luminaire Type
(NEMA Designation) |
Number
of Lamps |
Required LER
(Instant-Start) |
Required LER
(Programmed-Start) |
| 2' x 4' Recessed |
| Lensed (FL) |
2 |
74 or higher |
69 or higher |
| 3 |
71 or higher |
68 or higher |
| 4 |
68 or higher |
63 or higher |
VDT-Preferred
Louvered (FP) |
2 |
61 or higher |
56 or higher |
| 3 |
60 or higher |
57 or higher |
| 4 |
60 or higher |
57 or higher |
| Plastic Wraparound |
| Four-Foot (FW) |
2 |
71 or higher |
66 or higher |
| 4 |
69 or higher |
64 or higher |
| Strip Lights |
| Four-Foot (FS) |
1 |
82 or higher |
75 or higher |
| 2 |
77 or higher |
71 or higher |
| 2' x 2' Recessed with U-Tube Lamps |
| VDT-preferred |
2 |
50 or higher |
46 or higher |
| Lensed |
2 |
60 or higher |
56 or higher |
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Buying Energy-Efficient Fluorescent Luminaries
When buying a fluorescent luminaire, specify or select a model with a Luminaire Efficacy Rating (LER) that meets or exceeds those shown in the Performance Requirement table.
Agencies must use ENERGY STAR-qualified and FEMP-designated performance requirements for all procurements of energy-consuming products and systems including guide and project specifications, and construction, renovation and service contracts. These performance requirements should also be used in evaluating responses to solicitations. In contracts and solicitations, agencies must specify that fluorescent luminaires meet or exceed the performance levels shown in the Performance Requirement table.
Agencies can claim an exception to these requirements through a written finding that no ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated product is available to meet the function requirements, or that no such product is life-cycle cost-effective for the specific application.
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Calculating LER
LER data may not be available for some manufacturer's products. If an LER is not available, buyers may estimate the LER using this formula:
LER = (Luminaire Efficiency x Total Rated Lamp Lumens x Ballast Factor) ÷ Luminarie Watts Input
Luminaire Efficiency, Total Rated Lamp Lumens, Ballast Factor, and Luminaire Watts Input may typically be found in manufacturers' product catalogs and photometric reports.
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Buyer Tips
Lighting energy savings depend on good lighting design and controls as well as efficient luminaires. A lighting designer can assist with proper luminaire selection, placement, and choice of occupancy or daylighting controls.
Computer monitors, also known as video display terminals (VDTs), may be obscured by direct or reflected glare from overhead luminaires that emit light at wide angles. "VDT-preferred" luminaires meet IESNA recommendations for glare reduction (see For More Information). While reducing glare on computer screens, these luminaires may be less efficient than other luminaire types. Where greatly reduced glare is not a design need, look for either a VDT-compatible luminaire with a higher LER or an efficient non-VDT-rated model. Other special situations, such as equipment with high sensitivity or electromagnetic interference or the need for vandal-proof fixtures, may also compromise efficiency and require luminaires with lower LER.
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Cost-Effectiveness Example
2' x 4' Recessed, Lensed (FL) |
| Performance |
Base Model |
Required Level
(Instant-Start) |
Required Level
(Programmed-Start) |
| Luminaire Efficacy Rating LER |
62 |
74 |
69 |
| Mean Luminaire Light Output |
3520 lumens |
3500 lumens |
3500 lumens |
| Power Input |
60 watts |
50 watts |
54 watts |
| Annual Energy Use |
216 kWh |
179 kWh |
193 kWh |
| Annual Energy Cost |
$13 |
$11 |
$12 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost |
$137 |
$113 |
$122 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings |
— |
$24 |
$14 |
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Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions
In this example, the Base Model uses two standard T8 lamps with standard electronic ballasts. The Required models use two high-performance T8 lamps with high-performance instant-start and programmed-start ballasts, respectively. For both examples, Lifetime Energy Cost is the sum of the discounted value of annual energy costs, based on 3,600 operating hours per year and an assumed luminaire life of 15 years. The assumed electricity price is 6¢ per kWh, the federal average electricity price in the U.S. Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.0% are based on federal guidelines effective from April 2006 to March 2007.
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Using the Cost-Effectiveness Table
In the example shown above, a fluorescent luminaire with an instant-start ballast meeting the required LER of 74 or higher is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $24 higher than a standard luminaire. A fluorescent luminaire with a programmed-start ballast meeting the required LER of 69 or higher will be cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $14 higher than a standard luminaire.
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What if my Energy Prices or Operating Hours Are Different?
To calculate Lifetime Energy Cost Savings for a different electricity price, multiply the savings in the above table by this ratio: (Your price in ¢/kWh) ÷ (6.0¢/kWh). Similarly, for differnt hours of operation, multiply saving by this ratio: (Your annual hours of use) ÷ (3,600 annual hours of use).
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