Residential Lighting: The Data to Date

Judith Jennings, Mithra Moezzi †, Rich Brown †, Evan Mills † †,
Robert Sardinsky † † †, Barbara Heckendorn † † †, David Lerman † † † †, Lyle Tribwell † † † †

Lighting Research Group
†Energy Analysis Program
† †Center for Building Science
Energy and Environment Division
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley, CA 94720

  † † †Rising Sun Enterprises, Inc.
40 Sunset Dr. #1
Basalt, CO 81621

† † † †Tacoma Public Utilities
P. O. Box 11007
Tacoma, WA 98411

May 1996

Abstract

This report provides background data upon which residential lighting fixture energy conservation programs can be built. The current stock of residential lighting is described by usage level, lamp wattage, fixture type, and location within the house. Data are discussed that indicate that 27% of incandescent residential fixtures are responsible for over 80% of residential lighting energy use, and that justify targeting these fixtures as candidates for retrofit with energy-efficient fixtures. Fixtures determined to have the highest energy use are hardwired1 ceiling fixtures in kitchens, portable fixtures in living/family rooms, hardwired fixtures in dining rooms, and hardwired fixtures outdoors. An assessment of the market for residential fixtures shows that nearly half of new residential fixtures are imported, about 60% of new fixtures sold are hardwired, and about half of all new fixtures sold are for ceiling installation.

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1 “Hardwired” fixtures are those that are wired permanently in place, typically in a wall or ceiling. “Portable” fixtures consist of table, floor, and desk lamps and others that are simply plugged into an ordinary socket and can thus be easily moved.

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