Light Fixtures (Downlights)

Why ENERGY STAR?

Downlight light fixtures that have earned the ENERGY STAR deliver quality, cutting-edge design and the latest in energy-efficient technology.

If all downlights and downlight retrofit kits sold in the United States were ENERGY STAR certified, the energy cost savings would grow to more than $1 billion each year, saving more than 12 billion kWh and preventing more than 18 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions - equal to those from more than 1.8 million vehicles.

ENERGY STAR Certified Downlight Light Fixtures:

Use 90% less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs.
Distribute light more efficiently and effectively — with custom design around the efficient light source to get the best performance.
Are tested for long-term performance and come with a manufacturer-backed warranty of at least three years.

What happened to the ENERGY STAR label on light bulbs and other light fixtures?

For more than 25 years, the ENERGY STAR label has helped foster widespread adoption of affordable, effective and efficient lighting options for consumers. More than 3 billion ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs have been sold in the United States since the label's introduction in 1997, delivering electric energy savings of over one trillion kWh – equivalent to the annual carbon sequestration of the over 800 million acres of forest. And now, these light bulbs are the standard. Using the latest in LED technology, they all save energy.

In recognition of this progress and because it is no longer possible to purchase inefficient light bulbs for the majority of of household applications, the EPA has ended the ENERGY STAR program for the most common light fixtures. Only high performing recessed downlights may continue to earn the label. You may continue to see products packaged with the ENERGY STAR logo on store shelves in early 2025 because the EPA is allowing manufacturers to sell through their remaining stock and minimize waste.

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ENERGY STAR products are certified to save energy.

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What type of downlight should I get?

The How to Choose and Install Recessed Lighting resource will help you determine whether a downlight or retrofit kit is suitable for your application. However, there are also ENERGY STAR certified downlights that are suitable to be suspended or surface mounted to a ceiling or wall.

Choose the Color Appearance that you want.

ENERGY STAR certified downlights are available in a wide variety of shades of white light, ranging from yellowish to white to bluish white light, which allows you to customize the mood of your space. Some products come in "warm" colors to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, but you can also choose "cooler" colors with whiter or bluer light.

Color appearance (aka correlated color temperature) is measured on a temperature scale referred to as Kelvin (K):

Lower Kelvin numbers mean the light appears more yellow or “warmer”; higher Kelvin numbers mean the light will appear whiter or bluer.

Some ENERGY STAR downlights are made to match the color of incandescent bulbs at 2200-3000K:

For a whiter light, look for products marked 3500-4100K.

For bluer white light, look for products marked 5000-6500K.

Some ENERGY STAR downlights allow the consumer to switch from warm to cool using a switch on the bulb or with an app on their phone.
Learn about brightness.
Learn about LED lighting.

Some LED lights are designed so that the light gets ‘warmer’ as they dim.

Not every LED light works well with every dimmer switch:

If you are installing new downlights for use with an existing dimmer, check the dimmer manufacturer’s website to see which bulbs they recommend. ENERGY STAR certified lights maintain a list of compatible dimmers.

If you don’t find a good match with your current dimmer, consider replacing it, or you can return the downlight(s) and try a different one.

If you are putting in a new dimmer switch, check the website listed on the downlight package for recommended dimmers.

Will insulation be touching your new downlights?

If yes, be sure to purchase models that are rated Type IC (insulation contact). Models that are not IC-rated usually require at least 3” clearance to the nearest insulation to maintain proper operating temperature.

Additionally, if your new downlights will be installed below an unconditioned attic, consider models that are rated Type AT (airtight) to keep the air you have paid to heat or cool from escaping from the rooms you live in.