Program Spurs Innovation in Reflector CFLs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the top performers in a program it designed to encourage technological innovation in reflector compact fluorescent lamps (R-CFLs). Beginning in 2001, DOE worked with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and a group of manufacturers to create specifications for the lamps, which are often used in recessed downlight luminaires. While R-CFLs offer significant energy savings over their incandescent counterparts, they often suffer from excess heat when used in insulated, airtight fixtures, reducing light output and lamp life.

Following development of the specifications, DOE and PNNL opened a two-phase competition for R-CFL lamps, with several organizations offering to give buying preference to the winners. To qualify, lamps were required to meet Energy Star