Quality and size of energy-saving lamps
Many consumers complain that CFL energy saving lamps are of inferior quality. Are there quality standards in place for lamps in the different parts of the world?
Yes, there are many quality standards in place for lamps in differing parts of the world. Many companies that manufacture lamps meet the relevant local or international standards in force in the countries where the lamps are sold. In cases where lamps do not meet the quality levels required by international standards, market surveillance authorities are tasked with protecting consumers from lamps that are inferior and do not meet these standards.
Indeed the presence of so many standards leads often to confusion about the safety, testing, and certification requirements for lamps in differing territories. This situation exposes the need for a coordinated global or territorial approach to the harmonization of safety, testing, and certification standards. One of the aims of the en.lighten initiative is to add value in this area by helping to coordinate alignment of safety, testing, and certification standards.
Clearly the global lighting market is complex and multifaceted. It is driven by a variety of lighting requirements which differ from country to country. It is for this reason that performance requirements of lighting such as lifetime, lumen maintenance, color rendering etc. should be tailored to meet the requirements of differing segments of the market while abiding to environmental and energy efficiency considerations.
Some people don’t like the light quality of CFLs. Is that being improved?
CFL lamps have evolved to the point where good quality lamps now are usually very similar in functionality to incandescent lamps. They last longer and they will continue to get smaller, better, more efficient, safer and less expensive. Energy saving lamps from reputable manufacturers render a light quality which approaches very closely that of incandescent lamps.
The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) expresses the level to which colors are represented in its natural form i.e. as if lit by sunlight, where an incandescent lamp has a CRI of 100, good quality energy-savers typically have a CRI value between 80-85.
The CRI of 80-85 is appropriate for most domestic applications and is similar to the quality of light used in shop display lighting.
Why do CFLs have to be so big?
The latest generations of CFLs offered by major manufacturers are no longer very large. In some cases they are slightly smaller than their IL equivalent and with the new classic shapes they look almost the same as IL’s.