Two of the winning R-CFLs in the DOE competition are shown above.

CEE members interested in helping customers increase the efficiency of their existing recessed downlights now have more robust products to promote in their programs.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced eight winners in Phase 2 of its R-CFL Technology Innovation Competition, which is being conducted with assistance from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The winning compact fluorescent reflector lamps are manufactured by GE, Osram Sylvania, and Philips. The lamps passed tests that simulated the environment typically found in recessed downlights.

As part of the competition, each lamp had to maintain acceptable light output levels and reach an average rated life of at least 6,000 hours in high-temperature testing.

Tests of previous prototypes have raised concerns about heat buildup affecting the performance and longevity of the lamps in recessed fixtures located in insulated ceilings.

The eight R-CFLs join other models by Philips and Feit that were identified as winners during Phase I of the competition.

“These screw-based R-CFLs are an easy and economical replacement for incandescent reflector lamps,” said Linda Sandahl, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s project manager of the R-CFL Technology Innovation Competition.

“They use two-thirds less energy, last five times longer, produce similar light levels, and have excellent color rendition.”

For further information about the competition and specific model numbers for the winning lamps, see www.pnl.gov/rlamps.

Additional Phase 2 models are still undergoing testing, with more winners expected to be announced in spring 2007. [ back to top ]