Efficiency Vermont warns shoppers about low-quality LEDs flooding the market

Each day more and more light-emitting diode (LED) lighting products are showing up on the shelves of Vermont stores. LEDs are known for requiring very little energy to power, lasting for more than 20 years, and providing excellent quality light. Unfortunately, some LED products have recently started to flood the lighting market that may not perform when it comes to light quality, energy savings, and lifetime. These products are made with cheaper parts, they are generally packaged very similarly to higher-quality, certified products, and they tend to sell for a few dollars less apiece.

Fortunately, there is one way that shoppers can ensure they are choosing the highest-quality product with guaranteed savings. By opting for LED bulbs with the ENERGY STAR logo, consumers can rest assured that they are getting the most for their money. Many consumers recognize the ENERGY STAR mark as an important guide to buying energy saving products. It means that the product meets a certain level of efficiency and has undergone third party laboratory testing to verify energy savings and quality.

Those less expensive LED bulbs without the ENERGY STAR label often come with claims that are not verified. They may only last a few years, flicker, shift in color, lose brightness over time, look dim, offer uneven light, or continue to use power when turned off. LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR certification must meet many performance criteria set to ensure that consumers have a good and consistent experience. The US Environmental Protection Agency introduced ENERGY STAR in 1992. It was and still is a voluntary labeling program.