Why choose Energy Star qualified CFLs over a non-qualified CFL?
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs have been tested to meet stringent performance criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The criteria ensure that all CFLs earning the ENERGY STAR meet minimum lifetime and efficacy requirements, and are within maximum allowed product start and warm-up times. Manufacturers are also required to label the product if the light output is different than that of a soft white incandescent. If you choose a CFL that is not ENERGY STAR qualified, you might not get the performance you are looking for.
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are different than other CFLs on the market because they have been tested to meet stringent performance criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The criteria ensure that all CFLs earning the ENERGY STAR meet minimum lifetime and efficacy requirements, and are within maximum allowed product start and warm-up times. Manufacturers are also required to label the product if the light output is different than that of a soft white incandescent. If you choose a CFL that is not ENERGY STAR qualified, you might not get the performance you were looking for.
