Last Updated: Feb 23, 2023
Did you know that the electricity demand for lighting accounted for around 13 percent of global energy demand in 2018? Regarding the climate impact of the lights we use to illuminate our homes and businesses, lighting fixtures account for around 5 percent of total global carbon emissions each year.
That amount of energy and carbon emissions could be significantly higher if not for a massive transition toward energy-efficient lighting solutions during the past decades. In this article, you will learn why homeowners should transition from incandescent to LED lighting, what the different LED lighting fixtures do, and what to look for when shopping for energy-efficient lighting fixtures.
Starting with the oil shocks during the decade of the 1970s, the government of the United States and industry leaders began to invest heavily in research and development for more efficient lighting solutions. The compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), which was around five times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, was the first of these improved efficiency light bulbs. Though light-emitting diode (LED) technology was first invented in the 1960s, LED lighting products didn't hit the market until the 1980s.
Since then, LED light bulbs and light fixtures have drastically improved the energy efficiency of how we light our homes and buildings. According to the United States Department of Energy, "LED is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States. Residential LEDs -- especially ENERGY STAR rated products -- use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting."
The rapid growth of LED lighting products greatly impacts the total energy consumed by lighting. Department of Energy statistics reports that demand for electricity for lighting dropped to around 13 percent of total energy consumption in 2018. At current LED growth and expansion rates, this figure should drop to 8 percent of total energy consumption by 2030.
Despite the significant energy efficiency gains in lighting technology, there is still room for improvement. Almost three-quarters of households (71 percent) still have at least one incandescent bulb. In the United States, around 11 percent of households use only incandescent lights for exterior and interior illumination.
According to the Rapid Transition Alliance, a network of international organizations that are engaged in practical work, research, and campaigning to tackle the climate emergency:
“There remains enormous scope to drive down emissions from lighting, with some estimates suggesting that an overnight global switch to highly efficient LED light bulbs could cut 1,400 million tons of CO2 emissions. This would avoid the construction of 1,250 power stations worldwide – a massive saving in terms of carbon emissions and air quality.”
Energy-efficient light fixtures can help homeowners save on their electricity bills while maintaining good quality and quantity of light.
As we mentioned in the introduction, CFL bulbs were the first energy-efficient bulbs to hit the market and were generally between 5 and 7 times more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. Today, LED lighting fixtures for general illumination in and around the home are the most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technology. LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Although once known mainly for indicator and traffic lights, LEDs in white light and general illumination applications are today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technology. LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Unlike some energy-efficient appliances, electronics, and other home upgrades, LED lighting fixtures have fast "pay-back periods." Given this reality, switching to LED energy-efficient light fixtures offers a win-win scenario. Not only can homeowners drastically reduce their electricity from their home lighting needs, but they will also begin to save money immediately.
The ENERGY STAR label is awarded only to those products that achieve high levels of energy efficiency. This program, sponsored by the U.S. government, encourages using energy-efficient products to protect the environment and save consumers money. ENERGY STAR-certified light fixtures use at least 90 percent less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs.
These fixtures incorporate the latest technology to distribute light more efficiently and effectively. Another benefit of ENERGY STAR-certified light fixtures is that homeowners can find hundreds of styles and uses. From table and floor lamps to hard-wired lighting fixtures for your porch, ceiling, wall, bathroom vanity fixtures, and more, homeowners today can find ENERGY STAR lighting fixtures for virtually every lighting need they may have.
Furthermore, ENERGY STAR-certified models last 15 times longer than similar incandescent options and have a manufacturer-back warranty of at least three years.
Lighting fixtures incorporating LED lighting technology will most likely be the most efficient option on the market. Besides helping you cut your electricity bill drastically, LED energy-efficient lighting fixtures can also deliver convenient features such as dimming modes, colored and ambient lighting modes, smart lighting systems, automatic daylight shut-off, and motion sensors on outdoor models.
With integrated LED lighting fixtures, the LED bulbs are built into the fixture itself. Integrated LED fixtures last longer than regular LED bulbs; you must change them once the bulb burns out. With most products, integrated LED systems for lighting fixtures can better control the temperature of the LED module. This feature, in turn, improves the fixture's lifespan and reduces energy use.
Whether you choose integrated LED lighting fixtures or others, opting for LED lighting technology will almost always be the most energy-efficient option. According to one estimate, a standard filament, screw-in LED bulb may only last 3,000 hours. In contrast, an integrated LED module might last for about 50,000 hours. Below, we explain a few different lighting arrangements that can be upgraded with an energy-efficient LED system.
For homeowners with large yards that they want to illuminate, flood lights are an excellent option for outdoor use. This type of lighting can illuminate large areas that don't receive much light.
Most flood lights can produce a wider beam, usually up to 120 degrees, to cover a large area of your yard, patio, or outdoor living area. It is easy to find LED floodlights for improved energy efficiency. Also, consider searching for options that come with built-in motion detectors.
Pendant lights are any light fixture suspended or hanging from the ceiling with only a single light bulb incorporated into its fixture.
Pendant lights can be easily customized for unique interior looks and are easier to install as they generally don't require damage to the ceiling. Pendant lights can connect to your smart lighting system to give you better control over your home lighting schemes.
Chandeliers are ornate lighting fixtures that hang from the ceiling, often incorporating branches with several light bulbs. LED bulbs can power these.
A wall sconce is a wall lighting fixture that uses the wall for support. In older times, wall sconces were used on castle walls to hold torches. Today's more modern wall sconce lighting usually directs the light upwards for unique ambient lighting.
Flush mount lighting is designed to sit directly against the ceiling, causing the light to shine down. This is an excellent option for rooms with low ceilings as you don't lose any space with the bulb or other energy-efficient lighting fixture.
Foyer lighting refers to the lighting fixtures you use for your home's entryway. First impressions are lasting impressions, and foyer light fixtures are often specifically chosen to give the entranceway to your home a unique ambiance.
LED lighting fixtures can be used in and under cabinetry. These light fixtures are installed most commonly underneath upper wall kitchen cabinets. This provides lighting for the space directly below the cabinets to help you when cooking or accent lighting to specific places in the home.
Recessed lights are installed directly inside a ceiling, wall, or other surfaces. The best recessed lighting fixtures can make a room feel lighter, highlight artwork, pictures, or other essential parts of your interior decoration, and open up spaces in your home, so they look and feel more spacious. LED lighting options are also available for most all recessed lighting products.
Some of the top brands for energy efficient LED lighting fixtures are Hunter, Eglo, Craftmade, Process Lighting, Ove Decors, Kichler, adnd Canarm.
· Hunter: This company also makes energy-efficient fans to connect to different lighting fixtures.
· Eglo: This Australian-based brand has a vast selection of indoor and outdoor lighting solutions.
· Craftmade: Craftmade Lighting has over 100 different LED lighting fixtures to choose from.
· Progress Lighting: This company is an excellent option if you are into a minimalist design for your home interior.
· Ove Decors: Ove Decors has everything from unique chandeliers to modernist bathroom lighting.
· Kichler: This company recently released a Homestead Collection of artistic, vintage-style light fixtures.
· Canarm: Lastly, Canarm has a massive inventory of virtually every type of lighting fixture you can want for your home.
As more and more homeowners begin to transition towards energy-efficient lighting fixtures for their homes, there is no shortage of companies producing innovative, high-quality lighting fixtures for every area of the home. When searching for the best energy-efficient lighting fixtures, it is essential to prioritize products that come with a long warranty period. Also, ENERGY STAR-certified products will be the most efficient on the market.
No matter what brand you choose, transitioning to energy-efficient lighting fixtures for your home is hands down one of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint while saving money in the short term!
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.