Efficiency Vermont now supports the installation of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting through financial incentives.

• $30 Vermont instant coupon is available at participating retail locations.
• LED Eligible Products List - Residential (pdf 36kb)

What are LEDs?

• Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is an exciting, rapidly evolving technology that produces light in a whole new way.
• LEDs are small light sources that become illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material, more akin to computer chips than to light bulbs.
• The heat from an LED is conducted through the back of the fixture, rather than radiated in all directions as with other light sources. The proper dissipation of this heat is key to effective LED performance.
• LEDs are the only light source that are inherently directional and do not require a reflector to direct light, offering increased energy savings in directional applications.
• In select directional applications, LEDs can offer energy savings of more than 50% versus fluorescent or HID, and more than 75% savings versus incandescent lighting.

Not all LED lighting is created equal.

While LEDs are already beginning to surpass the quality and efficiency of existing lighting technologies, such as fluorescent and incandescent, LED performance varies widely.

• Testing by the U.S. Department of Energy has shown wide variability in performance of LED products, with some products not meeting the ratings listed by the manufacturer.
• Only well-designed LED products using the latest in LED technology, and applied in the right applications, will provide the energy, lighting quality, and long-life benefits of LEDs.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label, awarded to select LED fixture types that meet strict efficiency, quality, and lifetime criteria.

LED screw-in lamps

Efficiency Vermont is excited about the development of screw-based LED PAR20, PAR30, PAR38, and MR-16 lamps. At this time, however, we are not offering rebates for these products.

The lighting industry currently lacks a standard for predicting the useful life of screw-in LED products. Testing by the U.S. Department of Energy has shown widespread variation in products, with many products not meeting the ratings listed by the manufacturer.

Rebates may become available once an industry standard is established. Please contact Efficiency Vermont for additional information.

Efficiency Vermont's "LED Eligible Products List"

Efficiency Vermont has worked with the U.S. Department of Energy and other utilities in the Northeast to develop standards for high-performing LED products. The products that meet these performance standards have passed a variety of tests and are listed on Efficiency Vermont's "LED Eligible Products List."

The introductory "LED Eligible Products List" features a small number of approved products. This list will be updated frequently throughout 2009 as manufacturers release new products and obtain the testing required to meet Efficiency Vermont and ENERGY STAR performance standards.

Only products listed on the "LED Eligible Products List" are eligible for rebates from Efficiency Vermont.