Seeing the Light
New lightbulb standards are on tap this year. Is your office green and compliant?
By Erinn Morgan
The latest generation of bulbs provide better output with less energy impact. Image courtesy of GE Lighting
Got lightbulbs? Then change is afoot that will make your illumination greener and more energy efficient. On July 14, new Department of Energy regulations will increase the minimum efficiency requirements of some fluorescent and halogen lightbulbs, phasing out older technology that produces fewer lumens per watt.
“The new bulbs will offer greater energy savings while maintaining or improving light output,” says Joe Howley, manager of industry relations and environmental marketing at GE Lighting. While this will eliminate the availability of less-efficient bulbs on the market, it will also serve up even more lightbulb options than ever before.
“The supply is changing dramatically,” says Daniel Butler, head of the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Sustainable Retail Consortium. “We are trying to be more energy efficient but, in the end, we're also going to improve the quality of our light and our day-to-day experience.”
The upcoming changes have retailers of all types asking what they need to know—and to do—about it. Here, we supply the answers to your most burning questions on lighting.
Q Are incandescent bulbs being totally phased out?
A A misconception about the change is that it outlaws incandescent bulbs. Instead, it places new efficiency standards on incandescent bulbs. The new regulations, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2012 and will be phased across three years, require minimum efficiency standards that are about 30 percent higher.
Q How can businesses get started?
A The NRF's Butler suggests kicking things off with a lighting audit. “Take an inventory of all the bulbs in your physical store and office,” he says. “Replace any old, tired-looking bulbs immediately and phase the rest in as needed.” He also adds lighting audits can (and should) be done on a quarterly basis after this.
In addition, if you're about to do a renovation, this is a great time to think about what your new lighting needs will be. “Take this opportunity to make the change,” says Butler.
Q Where can you get more information on the bulb changes and new options?
A “Head to a reputable lighting store or company in your town,” says Butler. “The important thing is to get educated about the changes you're about to make before you spend any money. You want to make sure you're putting in bulbs that you can afford over the long run.”
Q How much will the new bulbs cost?
A The associated costs will depend on several factors, Howley says.
1. Which light bulbs you are using currently—and just how inefficient they are.
2. Which lighting technology you want to use moving forward (for example, LED costs more upfront, but saves money later).
3. The total number of lamps you need to replace.
| A REPLACEMENT TOOL | OTHER GREEN CHANGES |
|---|---|
| To ensure a smooth transition, GE Lighting has developed a tool to help commercial users understand the legislation, the bulbs impacted, and the available replacements. The GE Legislation Tool allows users to enter currently used bulb models into an online system to see if they are affected. This tool, as well as other insights, are available at www.gelighting.com/legislation. | While lighting is the key green regulatory change coming down the pike, Butler says the other big thing this year is an evolution in packaging. “Retailers are trying in new and innovative ways to show that they still offer value, but they are also showing that their packaging materials have been recycled and reused,” he notes. “There's an awful lot happening behind the scenes that a consumer might not ever see.” |
Before investing in your lighting revamp, do your homework and select what works best for you. Images courtesy of GE Lighting
Q Will more efficient lightbulbs save independent locations money?
A “There are significant savings to be realized from changing your bulbs,” says Butler. “Depending on where you live, what you currently use, and how you use the light in your store, I would say you could see a 20 to 50 percent savings on your lighting bill.”
Changing one bulb from an incandescent to an LED can save the customer more than $129 throughout the lifetime of the lamp. How many bulbs do you have in your office? “Multiply that savings times hundreds of lamps and that's pretty big,” says Howley. “The exact figure depends on which technologies the retailer decides to use.”
Q When it comes to lighting, what are some other simple green changes?
A Installing occupancy sensors where lights are left on but not in use can reduce energy consumption.
“Incorporating LED lamps where applicable is also a great way to reduce a carbon footprint,” says Howley. “These lamps typically have a lifespan of 25,000 hours or more, which is almost five years before you have to replace it.” EB
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