Throughout the United States, in every sector and building type, lighting is a significant electrical end-use. Based on the many and varied studies of lighting technologies, and experience with programs that promote lighting energy-efficiency, there is a significant amount of cost-effective energy savings to be achieved in the lighting end use. Because of such potential savings, and because consumers most often do not adopt cost-effective lighting technologies on their own, programs and policies are needed to promote their adoption.
Characteristics of lighting energy use, as well as the attributes of the lighting marketplace, can significantly affect the national pattern of lighting equipment choice and ownership. Consequently, policy makers who wish to promote energy-efficient lighting technologies and practices must understand the lighting technologies that people use, the ways in which they use them, and marketplace characteristics such as key actors, product mix and availability, price spectrum, and product distribution channels. The purpose of this report is to provide policy-makers with a sourcebook that addresses patterns of lighting energy use as well as data characterizing the marketplace in which lighting technologies are distributed promoted, and sold. We examine residential and commercial lighting in the U.S. in order to answer important market-related questions such as:
In addition, we discuss the policy implications of lighting energy use and current market characteristics. The lighting products we address in this report include lamps, ballasts, fixtures, and lighting controls.
In Appendix A, we introduce and define some of the most important terms that are used to compare lamps, ballasts, and fixtures and provide summary information on lighting technologies including lighting controls. In Appendix B, we provide a list of valuable references for learning about the technical as well as market characteristics of lighting technologies.