BOULDER, CO — (Marketwired) — 04/17/13 — E Source data analysis reveals that the proportion of US households using one or more compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) is on the rise. In fact, data show that 87 percent of households are using at least one CFL or LED in their homes and 77 percent are using three or more of these energy-efficient lightbulbs, up from 86 percent and 75 percent in 2011, respectively.
For the past four years, E Source has partnered with The Nielsen Company on the annual Energy Audit survey of approximately 32,000 US households. This large-scale survey focuses on behaviors and attitudes related to home energy use, and it covers a variety of energy-related topics, including the number of CFLs and LEDs each household is currently using. Because the survey also includes a full suite of questions related to residential demographics and household characteristics, E Source discovered some interesting findings related to which customers are most likely to use CFLs and LEDs. For example:
Older adults are more likely than younger adults to use multiple CFLs in the home, but LEDs are more popular among younger residents.
Homeowners are more likely than renters to use multiple CFLs and LEDs.
In general, saving money is the clear winner when residents are asked to indicate their primary motivation for conserving energy. However, those who say that improving the environment is their primary motivation to conserve energy are slightly more likely to use multiple CFLs or LEDs in their homes when compared with those who are motivated by saving money.
The percentage of US households using multiple CFLs and LEDs increases as annual household income increases.
According to Rachel Cooper, research manager at E Source, “These findings lead us to wonder, –What would saturation levels look like if these energy-efficient bulbs — particularly LEDs — were more affordable?–“
Because home size influences the number of light sockets, customers living in smaller homes are likely to use fewer CFLs or LEDs. However, residents living in large homes (5,000 square feet or more) aren–t necessarily the power users of CFLs and LEDs. These larger homes are less likely to use 11 or more CFLs or LEDs when compared to slightly smaller homes (between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet), despite the fact that they likely have more light sockets and an increased opportunity to use 11 or more energy-efficient bulbs.
Another interesting finding is that the percentage of households with 11 or more CFLs and LEDs increases as the number of household members increases, perhaps indicating that households using more energy are more likely to replace incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs or LEDs.
For further information about socket saturation and to learn what–s happening in current utility lighting programs, read the E Source blog post : .
For 25 years, E Source has been providing unbiased, objective research and advisory services to over 300 utilities and large energy users. Our energy experts have answered more than 8,000 questions over the past 3 years. This guidance helps our customers advance their efficiency programs, enhance customer relationships, and use energy more efficiently.
Kym Wootton
Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, E Source
303-345-9168