Lighting

The document argues that home lighting efficiency is best achieved through a 'whole-system' approach rather than simple bulb replacement. It highlights the benefits of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and emerging LED technology, while strongly advising against the use of halogen torchieres due to fire risks and energy waste. The briefing also emphasizes the role of lighting controls, task lighting, and daylighting in reducing electricity consumption and improving well-being.

• Lighting accounts for 5–10 percent of total energy use in an average U.S. home, with more than 90 percent of the energy used by standard incandescent bulbs being released as heat rather than light.
• A 'whole-system' upgrade—combining efficient bulbs with upgraded fixtures, occupancy sensors, and photocells—can achieve significantly higher energy savings (86 percent) compared to only replacing bulbs (35 percent).
• Modern Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are cost-competitive with incandescents, use about one-quarter of the electricity, and can last up to 13 times longer (10,000–12,000 hours).
• Using CFLs instead of incandescent bulbs reduces mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants by 36 percent, and this reduction increases to 76 percent if the CFL is recycled.
• Halogen torchieres are identified as a significant fire hazard and energy waste source, operating at temperatures around 970ºF (520ºC); replacing them with CFL models removes this danger and reduces CO2 emissions.
• Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are an emerging 'solid-state' technology offering high durability and efficiency, with the potential to last ten times longer than CFLs.
• Daylighting and the use of light pipes (costing under $400) can reduce electricity and cooling bills while improving productivity and well-being.

APA

Goorskey, S., Smith, A., & Wang, K. (2004). Lighting. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB2Lighting.pdf

Chicago

Goorskey, Sarah, Andy Smith, and Katherine Wang. Lighting. RMI, 2004. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB2Lighting.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Goorskey |first1=Sarah |last2=Smith |first2=Andy |last3=Wang |first3=Katherine |title=Lighting |publisher=RMI |date=3 December 2004 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB2Lighting.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{goorskey2004lighting, author = {Goorskey, Sarah and Smith, Andy and Wang, Katherine}, title = {{Lighting}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2004}, month = dec, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB2Lighting.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }