Page 70 - Teiber Light Bulbs 2013

70 Light Bulb Resource Guide > Fluorescent

Department of Energy's Conservation Standards

for General Service Fluorescent Lamps (GSFL)

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 has been amended a few times, but on July 14th, 2009, the
policy had its largest change. The new rules stated that beginning July 14th, 2012, most T-12
fluorescents would not meet the efficiency standards, and that T-8 and T-5 fluorescent tubes
would need to be manufactured to a higher efficiency standard measured in lumens per watt
(lm/W). There are some exemptions such as tubes with a CRI rating of 87 or greater. The chart
below provides the tube type and the lumens per watt minimum that can be manufactured.*

Correlated Color Energy Conservation
Lamp Type
Temperature Standard (lm/W)

4,500K 89
4-Foot (T8-T12) Medium Bi-pin 25W
> 4,500K and 7,000K 88
4,500K 84
2-Foot (T8-T12) U-Shaped 25W
> 4,500K and 7,000K 81
4,500K 97
8-Foot (T8-T12) Single Pin Slimline 52W
> 4,500K and 7,000K 93
4,500K 92
8-Foot (T8-T12) High Output
> 4,500K and 7,000K 88

4,500K 86
4-Foot (T5) Miniature Bi-pin Standard Output 26W
> 4,500K and 7,000K 81

4,500K 76
4-Foot (T5) Miniature Bi-pin High Output 49W
> 4,500K and 7,000K 72

*Due to a worldwide shortage of Rare Earth Minerals, the DOE has granted some exceptions to these dates.