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We all hear about the need for energy efficiency and more energy-efficient lighting systems. We see the higher electric bills and gas bills and say to ourselves, "That's a lot of money. How can I cut down on my bills?"
But there is a difference between knowing we have to do something and actually doing it. Manufacturers are increasingly developing and pushing energy-efficient lighting systems. Some electrical contractors, building designers and electrical distributors are getting on board. Governments are increasingly enacting codes and laws requiring more energy-efficient systems too. But how are we doing? Well, so far it's a mixed bag on all fronts.
Manufacturers are developing the products and showcasing their energy-efficient lighting systems. That was quite evident at the recent Lighfair show. Manufacturers also see legislation such as California's Title 24 and believe similar legislation will become the standard nationwide, so they are designing and manufacturing lighting to meet those requirements across the U.S. and worldwide.
However, distributors, designers and electrical contractors are slow at getting on board. It's not that they are against installing energy-efficient systems, but distributors will not stock product unless it sells, designers generally won't include such systems unless their customer requests it and contractors won't install it unless they're required to.
Even government entities are slow. Codes may require energy-efficient systems, but if code enforcement officials don't understand the technology or there aren't enough enforcement officials to make sure energy-efficient systems meet codes in commercial buildings, then energy-efficient systems may not get installed or operate properly.
"It's like the chicken and the egg," says Jon Linn, commercial programs manager, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP), a nonprofit organization that works with utilities, manufacturers, government, distributors, contractors and manufacturer representatives to advance energy-efficient lighting systems. "Distributors will stock what has sold in the past and contractors will install what has sold in the past. But policies and programs are starting to shake loose those tendencies."
Linn says there are pockets of distributors and contractors in the Northeast that are leading the way in energy-efficient commercial lighting. He says high-performance T8 lamps are being sold and installed, as well as the electronic ballasts. He says these systems save about 40 percent in energy over the previous best lighting systems with electronic ballasts.
