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Taking the Heat Out of CFL Downlights

Recessed downlights are one of the most popular lighting fixtures currently used in residential lighting. Lighting manufacturers are now producing residential compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) downlight systems as alternatives to incandescent downlights, because CFLs offer a longer lamp life and a significant decrease in electricity.

But there's still room for improvement. A study commissioned by ETCC member Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and conducted by the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) showed that high temperatures can build-up in CFL downlight systems and cause problems. These high temperatures can lead to reduced light output, shortened lamp life, and premature ballast failure. Due to poor heat management, nearly 40 percent of the tested fixtures did not meet warranty conditions.

The study concluded that the key to realizing the full energy savings potential of CFL downlights lies in thermal management. With simple design revisions, manufacturers can significantly improve their CFL lamps and meet their five-year warranties. More stringent product quality requirements would lead to greater customer (and home builder) acceptance of and confidence in CFL downlights, which in turn would result in greater market penetration and energy savings.

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For more information, view the full report.

The Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council — comprised of the California Energy Commission and the Investor Owned Utilities — is constantly screening and assessing ways of saving energy through lighting. Some additional projects include:

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The ETCC is funded in part by ratepayer dollars and the California Statewide Emerging Technologies Program under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The municipal portion of this program is funded and administered by Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.