T a n TECHNOLOGY

YOUR BLUEPRINT FOR USING ADVANCED BUILDING k les s W a te r H e a te rs

Energy-
Efficient
Lighting

DOLLARS & SENSE TECH CHECK MAKING THE SWITCH FOOD FOR THOUGHT RESULTS FROM THE FIELD

Average costs of energy- Steps to take if you What it takes to incor- Energy-efficient lighting Real-world demonstrations
efficient lighting... decide to start using this porate energy-efficient will save energy and from North Dakota, Nevada,
building technology… lighting... money… and Arizona…
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T E C H@@A AGLANCE
TECH GLANCE

BENEFITS (+)/DRAWBACKS (–) – PERFORMANCE: The light from LED lamps expected to last for a decade or two. However,
+ ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Compared to is very directional and, therefore, not always when replacement is necessary, there are no
conventional incandescent lighting, energy- appropriate for ambient lighting. However, new replacement bulbs and the entire fixture must be
efficient lighting creates an equivalent level LED downlights use reflectors to distribute the replaced.
of light with less energy use. Also, energy light and provide more multidirectional lighting.
efficient lights give off less thermal energy-
OPERATIONAL COST
than incandescent lighting, thereby reducing
MAKING THE SWITCH The energy cost for operating CFL and LED
cooling loads. Knowledge of available products and lamps is about one-third to one-fourth the energy
+ AFFORDABILITY: CFL lamps costs less, when specifications for replacement bulbs is all that is cost of incandescent lamps, and incandescent
factoring upfront and operating cost, over the required to make the switch. It may be useful to bulbs must be replaced about 10 to 50 times
lifetime of the lamps. consult a lighting designer, especially when first more frequently. For a typical 20 watt CFL
+ CONVENIENCE: Lamp life is much longer for switching to energy-efficient lighting packages. operating 2 hours per day at an electric rate
CFLs and LEDs than incandescent lamps. of $0.10 per kWh, annual utility cost would be
INITIAL COST $1.46. The same 75 watt incandescent would
+ AESTHETICS: When designed appropriately,
Fluorescent lamps that can be retrofitted into cost $5.48 to run under the same conditions,
energy-efficient lighting can add to the
conventional light fixtures cost between $5 and resulting in an energy cost savings of $4.02
aesthetics of a home.
$17 per lamp, depending on type, wattage, and per year. With the CFL expected to last
+ PERFORMANCE: LED light is very directional,
features. Dedicated CFLs, which can fit only into approximately 10 years and an incandescent
so it makes excellent task lighting.
fixtures dedicated for fluorescent use, cost less life of approximately one year, 5-year operating
– SAFETY: CFLs contain a small amount of
than screw-base CFLs. cost is about $15 for the CFL and $31 for the
mercury and, although they can be legally
disposed of in regular trash collection (in most Dedicated CFL fixtures tend to cost more than incandescent lamp.
locations), should be disposed of at a recycling conventional light fixtures, but as the variety of
CODE ACCEPTANCE
facility which can recover the element. available fixtures expands, prices are coming
There are no specific code issues with using
– INSTALLATION: Energy-efficient lighting down. Although the variety of light fixtures
energy-efficient lighting instead of standard
strategies can require more upfront design makes it difficult to make a direct fixture price
lighting.
work. Dedicated fluorescent fixtures do not comparison, one major manufacturer’s pendant
have universal fittings for lamp bases and, lamp cost $51 in the incandescent version RESULTS FROM THE FIELD
therefore, it can be relatively difficult to find and $79 in the dedicated CFL version (about
Field studies show that there can be significant
replacement bulbs. However, a new base 55% more for the CFL). Designing a dedicated
reductions in energy used for lighting by
(GU24) provides a universal fitting for any fluorescent lighting system can save money over
switching to energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs.
wattage fluorescent lamp. time because replacement bulbs cost less than
Increased initial expenditures can be recouped
– AESTHETICS: CFL packaging does not screw-base CFL replacements. Architectural
in a few years. However, it is important to pick
always report light quality indicators (i.e., color features can be used to create lighting with
the proper lighting type for the intended use,
temperature and color rendering index). Some standard straight tube fluorescent lights (e.g.,
such as the different needs for hallway and
CFLs produce undesirable cool (bluish) light. cove or indirect lighting) to save hardware costs,
bathroom lighting.
– CONVENIENCE: For dimming, special but this technique may increase construction
dimmable CFLs are needed and the (carpentry, drywall) costs. WARRANTY
technology is still emerging. Also, CFLs take Standard CFL warranties vary from 1 to 3 years,
LED downlights for ambient lighting cost about
time to reach full illumination. while typical LED fixture warranties last 3 years.
$120 for a 6-inch fixture. Fixtures can be

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 T a n k les s W a te r HLighting
Energy-Efficient e a te rs

THE BASICS TECH CHECK

Lighting technology has advanced tremendously over the last decade, Below is a checklist of steps to follow in order to implement this
and numerous options are available for providing aesthetically-pleasing technology in each of your projects.
ambient light at a fraction of the energy usage of traditional incandescent
lamps. Two types of lamps provide energy-efficient residential lighting—  Learn about color temperature and color rendering.
LED and fluorescent lamps.  Learn what to look for to buy CFLs that will mimic natural lighting.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are well suited for ambient lighting.  When retrofitting existing light fixtures, carefully select the right CFL
CFLs are categorized by their type of base—screw-type, pin-type, and size, shape, and wattage that will work in the light fixture—many
the new GU24 twist and lock sockets. Screw-type lamps fit into standard options are available but getting the right lamp requires some effort.
fixtures, while pin-type and GU24 bases must be matched to dedicated
fluorescent fixtures. The variety of dedicated fluorescent fixtures is
 There is no need to do anything differently with respect to wiring.
rapidly increasing, due in part to programs such as ENERGY STAR  You may need to work with a knowledgeable lighting designer.
(www.energystar.gov) and fixture design competitions such as Lighting  Using architectural features to hide tube lights is a technique that can
for Tomorrow (www.lightingfortomorrow.com). enhance the overall beauty of the home and the appearance of the
Many CFLs provide light quality similar to the quality of incandescent lighting, but may increase carpentry and drywall cost.
light. For lights that mimic the warm light of incandescent lamps, look
for color rendering index (CRI) over 80 and a color temperature of about
2700 or 2800 K.
Due to the small amount of mercury in CFLs, the EPA recommends
that bulbs which have reached the end of their useful life, or which have
MAKING THE SWITCH
broken, should be disposed of at a local recycling facility. The EPA is What is required to transition from your current building practices
working to expand recycling options for fluorescent lamps. It should to using this technology?
be noted, however, that the amount of power plant mercury emissions There is a growing array of dedicated fluorescent fixtures that can
avoided by the bulb’s efficiency eclipse the small amount of mercury provide many options to suit almost any homeowner’s budget and
contained in a CFL. taste. When designing a home to use dedicated fluorescent lamps, the
Ubiquitous in consumer electronics indicator lights, light-emitting assistance of a lighting designer maybe useful. The lighting designer
diodes, or LEDs, especially white LEDs, are gaining a foothold in other can help with selection of fixtures, and ideas for using conventional
applications, including residential lighting. Currently, LED lamps are best tube fluorescent lamps along with architectural features to produce
suited for directional light applications, such as under-cabinet lighting, aesthetically pleasing lighting.
task lighting, landscape lighting, and stairway illumination. LED lamps A few LED fixtures for ambient lighting are emerging in the marketplace.
last on the order of 50,000 hours and rarely fail (they slowly lose their There are also several LED task lighting products, such as under-cabinet
luminescence over time rather than simply “burn out”); fluorescent lamps lighting, that are suitable for residential task lighting.
last about 10,000 hours and incandescent lamps about 1,000 hours.
LED bulb costs are still fairly high compared to other lighting options, No changes in technology or construction techniques are needed
which may limit use in residential applications, however technology and to switch to screw-base CFLs. However, slightly more effort will be
manufacturing practices are improving, so prices should come down, and required to determine the size, wattage, and type of CFL needed for
more models with multi-dimensional applications should be available in the application. When making the switch to energy-efficient lighting, it
the near future. is important to understand where each type of fixture makes the most
sense, and what options are available.
Lighting controls—such as occupancy sensors and dimming switches—
can further reduce energy needs associated with lighting. ENERGY
STAR labeling is currently available for energy-efficient light fixtures and
CFLs and is under development for LED lamps. National standards for
LED lamps are also under development. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
This section provides some things to think about before switching
to this building technology – make sure it’s the right choice for
you.
• Technology is rapidly advancing. Check with manufacturers or lighting
DOLLARS AND SENSE
suppliers for the latest information.
If 10, 60-watt incandescent lamps, which last 750 hours
and cost $0.75 each, are replaced with 10, 15-watt • Efficient lighting packages are more expensive upfront, yet offer
fluorescent lamps which last 10,000 hours and cost $7.50 tremendous life cycle cost savings.
each, the upfront investment cost would be recouped in • Efficient lighting packages will save energy and money in any climate
one year. The estimated 5-year operational cost of the and type of home. Dedicated fixtures are best for new construction,
incandescent lamps would be $513, while the 5-year cost while screw-base CFLs and LEDs can be retrofitted very easily into
of the fluorescent lamps would be $185. existing homes.
• Consider working with a lighting designer to get the best effect from an
efficient lighting system.
• Use the ENERGY STAR website to help find the best-suited fixtures
and lamps for the application.

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 T a n k les s W a te r HLighting
Energy-Efficient e a te rs

RESULTS FROM THE FIELD

This technology has been used by other builders in real-world
building situations – learn from their experiences.
Grand Forks, ND, Selkirk Twin Homes
(2004 PATH Field Evaluation)
• Increase lighting from 10% to 85% fluorescent
• Incremental installed cost $200
• Annual savings $31
• Simple payback 6.5 yrs
Henderson, NV, Asdal Builders
(2002 PATH Field Evaluation)
• LED directional light fixture was installed in an entryway
• Lighting was very directional and did not provide adequate
illumination for the entryway in the existing fixture (550 lumens
versus 860 lumens with incandescent)
• Homeowners did not like the limited amount of light in the entry and
planned to replace the LED bulb after the study
CFL in exterior light fixture
Tucson, AZ, John Wesley Miller Companies
(2004 PATH Field Evaluation) Yavapai College, Residential
Building Technology Program,
• Dedicated fluorescent fixtures throughout Zero Energy Home
2007 EVHA Gold Winner
• Reduced predicted lighting load from 1,873 kWh/year to 779 kWh/
year; actual use 20% lower than predicted
• Cost of recessed can fixtures were prohibitively expensive—almost
10 times the cost of incandescent can lights
• Technology improvements are still needed to provide dimming
capability, reduce start time delay, and improve color rendering
• Fluorescent fixtures were not immediately available which caused a
small construction delay

Evolution Bulb White LED lighting

www.aerolights.com

Screw-base CFL from IBASCO

LED
http://www.ccrane.com/
lights/led-light-bulbs/index.
aspx
CFLs in interior lighting scheme, Sustainable Development Inc.,
2008 EVHA Silver Winner

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 T a n k les s W a te r HLighting
Energy-Efficient e a te rs

DEFINITIONS RESOURCES
Ballast General information about energy-efficient lighting
An electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps. and its installation in homes:
Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) ToolBase Services
A lamp which produces light by fluorescence and is used in place of an Information on this building technology and many others
incandescent lamp. CFLs whith a screw base can be fitted into a conventional lamp brought to you by PATH and the building scientists at the
socket, while dedicated CFLs must be fitted into a fixture containing a matching NAHB Research Center.
ballast.
www.toolbase.org
Lamp—(also called a bulb)
An artificial light source which produces visible light.
ENERGY STAR Program
Light emitting diode (LED)
Semiconductor devices which produce light when electrons pass from one side of www.energystar.gov
the junction to the other. Program materials include:
Light Fixture • ENERGY STAR Advanced Lighting Package (ALP):
The combination of housing and electronics which holds a lamp to create light and www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=fixtures.alp_
decoration. consumers
• Light Fixtures:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=fixtures.pr_light_
fixtures
• Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
• Information about mercury in CFLs and their disposal:
www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_
light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Energy-Efficient Lighting Information from

EarthEasy
www.eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm

Efficient Lighting Strategies (US DOE Fact Sheet)

www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/26467.pdf

Lighting for Tomorrow Competition

www.lightingfortomorrow.com

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is dedicated to

accelerating the development and use of technologies that radically improve the
quality, durability, energy efficiency, and affordability of America’s housing. Managed
by HUD, the PATH partnership includes the homebuilding, manufacturing, insurance
and financial industries, and Federal agencies concerned with housing.
PATH addresses barriers to innovation, provides information on advanced building
technologies, and advances housing technology research; making affordable,
quality American homes a reality.
For more information on the PATH program, visit www.pathnet.org.

TechSpecs are prepared for PATH by the NAHB Research Center.

400 Prince George’s Boulevard

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
www.nahbrc.org

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