MEDIA
CFL/Fluorescent Lighting Use Position Paper
Bill Kennedy (November 23, 2009)
A quarter (~) of the total electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). Lighting in homes represents as much as 25% of a home’s electrical energy use. Estimates for the commercial sector indicate that more than half of the energy total is consumed, wherein lighting is used most during periods of peak electrical demand and significantly contributes to a building's internal heat generation, which then increases air-conditioning levels. “Lighting” in this context means “incandescent” style, which “radiates” heat.
The U.S. spends approximately $58 billion annually to light homes, offices, streets and factories. The significance of that figure lies in the fact that the conversion of electricity into useful light is one of the least efficient energy conversion processes in buildings today, that is to say “incandescent”. If we are to curb greenhouse gases, this “wasteful” use becomes one of the significant areas to “curb”. The DoE and efficiency advocates promote new lighting technologies to improve the energy efficiency of lighting and reduce consumption and costs. However, in the promotion of fluorescent/CFL style lighting, key details in relationship to overall “pollution” and “cost” have not been fully noted one from the other in full disclosure, thus it can be stated that the DoE promotion of fluorescent/CFL lighting is faulty...
Read more, download full PDF of this article.
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CFL/Fluorescent Lighting Use Position Paper
Bill Kennedy (November 23, 2009)
A quarter (~) of the total electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). Lighting in homes represents as much as 25% of a home’s electrical energy use. Estimates for the commercial sector indicate that more than half of the energy total is consumed, wherein lighting is used most during periods of peak electrical demand and significantly contributes to a building's internal heat generation, which then increases air-conditioning levels. “Lighting” in this context means “incandescent” style, which “radiates” heat.
The U.S. spends approximately $58 billion annually to light homes, offices, streets and factories. The significance of that figure lies in the fact that the conversion of electricity into useful light is one of the least efficient energy conversion processes in buildings today, that is to say “incandescent”. If we are to curb greenhouse gases, this “wasteful” use becomes one of the significant areas to “curb”. The DoE and efficiency advocates promote new lighting technologies to improve the energy efficiency of lighting and reduce consumption and costs. However, in the promotion of fluorescent/CFL style lighting, key details in relationship to overall “pollution” and “cost” have not been fully noted one from the other in full disclosure, thus it can be stated that the DoE promotion of fluorescent/CFL lighting is faulty...
Read more, download full PDF of this article. Return to Media
