Thank you for sending us your information on your experience with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL. We apologize for your unsatisfactory experience with an ENERGY STAR qualified product. We are committed to continue to do our best to document and attempt to resolve these issues with manufacturers to reduce instances of defects in the future.
Unfortunately, there have been some instances of CFLs smoking or smoldering. While this usually occurs when the product is defective, or installed improperly it is nonetheless a concern to consumers, EPA and DOE. Currently, the Department of Energy (DOE) is working with industry to make sure this phenomenon is eliminated by requiring all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs to incorporate end-of-life requirements and higher safety standards. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs meet UL safety standards, which require the materials to be self-extinguishing.
So, although the base or glass tubing may darken, an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL should never catch on fire.1
CFL manufacturers recommend that you install and remove CFLs by grasping the plastic portions of the base only. If the CFL is screwed into a light socket by twisting the tube rather than the plastic base, it can cause the vacuum seal or glass tubing in the CFL to break.
Once certain parts are exposed to oxygen, they are more liable to become defective and/or overheat.2
In some cases, when a CFL reaches it end of useful life, the arc contained in the tube may elevate the temperature of the housing plastic near one end of the tube. This elevated temperature, although it is short lived, may produce some limited smoke and odor from the electronics and fire-retardant cover. In some cases a flashing arc internal to the fluorescent tube or ballast may occur and in some extreme cases, a deformation, significant distortion, or small breach of the plastic material may happen. Again, the materials and evaluation tests are designed to prevent subsequent safety hazard. The plastic housing is designed to self-extinguish, and it is the nature of fire retardant materials to exhibit some deformation or discoloration when acting in protective mode.
However, it is understandable that you may be concerned and disappointed that the bulb did not perform to your expectations.3
Manufacturers producing ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to offer at least a 2 year limited warranty (covering manufacturer defects) for residential applications4. In some cases, the manufacturer may request the failed product to be shipped to them so they can determine why the smoking happened, so make sure to keep the product until you speak to the manufacturer. The manufacturer will most likely provide a replacement product or a refund.
I will catalogue this incident in our database. We hope your experience with the other ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs you are currently using is a positive one. Any time you are using a CFL over an incandescent, you are saving energy.
So, even though some of the products you used failed prematurely, you were saving energy and money every time you used them.5
Another thing to keep in mind is that though you may experience problems with one type of CFL you may have a positive experience with another. We hope that you do not disregard all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs based on a negative experience with one product or brand.
UL tests products for consumer safety, you can read what their spokesperson said about this type of failure here
UL | Newsroom - UL Sets the Record Straight on Safety and Compact Fluorescent Lamps
For the most up-to-date information on CFL care and disposal go to
www.energystar.gov/CFLsandMercury. This document also provides the EPA's new website
www.epa.gov\bulbrecycling with local recycling options. More retailers and interested parties are working on developing easier solutions to the issue, The Home Depot, IKEA and select Ace Hardware stores now collect CFLs for recycling. You can also visit
Recycle A Bulb - Veolia Environmental Services to see if other recycling options are available near you.
Thank you for contacting ENERGY STAR regarding this instance and thank you for your interest in ENERGY STAR.