Existing Luminaires

      The Department of Energy CALiPER program has completed testing on a variety of
LED replacement technologies. The research indicated wide ranges in light output,
efficacy, color temperature, and color rendering index. However, increasing
numbers of SSL products are now approaching, matching, and sometimes
exceeding the light output levels, distribution, and color quality of comparative
technologies using traditional sources.
      
      Despite this upward trend, comparisons to incandescent and fluorescent lamps are
often misleading. Misinformation makes buying decisions difficult, and leads to
consumer distrust. Although a few SSL replacement lamps meet the expected
performance levels, most do not. Recent CALiPER reports indicate that the greatest
discrepancies between measured performance and manufacturer claims were
observed in small omni-directional replacement lamps such as the A series.

      In a recent test at Southern California Edison focusing on the MR16, a popular
choice for track lighting and retail applications, the light output of LED MR16 lamps
ranged from 29–246 lumens. This wide range allows for the possibility that the
lumen output would be less than the existing halogen lamp, leading to disappointment
in the quantity of light from the LED MR16. Manufacturer claims for the tested
lamps were largely inaccurate. Buyers should be cautious when reviewing claims
and look for alternate reviews on the product from independent sources. Before
purchasing new lamps, buyers should research the lumen output of their current
lamps, then buy replacements with similar stated lumen outputs and compare the
new and old lamps in their intended installation location. Buyers should look for a
robust warranty and return policy in case the product does not meet expectations.