The new wave of ultra-efficient LED lighting that can save 60% more energy and last three to five times longer demonstrates that the development of this already highly energy efficient sector is far from complete, offering a new opportunity for even greater energy savings for everyone, everywhere, and is an especially welcome fast solution in the context of soaring electricity costs, energy security issues and the climate crisis.
Energy consumption is one of the most important factors in determining the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. By improving the energy performance of a product, the amount of energy it consumes, and in turn its carbon footprint, can be significantly reduced. This clearly applies to the lighting sector, and its outstanding evolution throughout the years – from the first incandescent light invented in 1879, more than 140 years ago – making it a true exponent of the constant search by leading industries to achieve more efficient and sustainable products, which has led to the latest development in the lighting market: the ultra-efficient LED lamp.
Due to their massive reduction in energy consumption, LEDs have become the most popular and simply the go-to choice in almost every lighting scenario. LEDs were first invented in 1927, becoming commercialized at scale in the 2000s and have been steadily developing ever since.
What puts LED lighting technology so far above other technologies includes exceptional colour options, instant brightness and long-life span, as well as LED lighting being the optimal choice for energy efficiency. Most importantly from the energy efficiency perspective, due to their high lumen per watt output, LEDs are capable of turning roughly 70% of their energy into light, making them more efficient than other technologies which waste much of their energy through heat. LED lighting is much more efficient than incandescent lighting in producing visible light. Indeed, much of the radiation produced by incandescent lamps is in the infrared part of the spectrum, whereas LED sources produce light in the visible region and in a much more efficient way than incandescent or discharge lamps.
LED light sources can now save typically 90% in energy consumption compared to incandescent lighting and some 50% compared to fluorescent light sources. They also provide safer alternatives to other very commonly used light sources such as mercury based fluorescent and high intensity discharge lighting. LED lighting sources also function in a broader heat range and are better in directing the light where it is intended, helping to avoid light pollution.
Recently, lighting efficiency has taken a new leap forward with the release of ultra-efficient LED lighting, which delivers 210 lumen/watt, with brands like Signify and LEDVANCE already placing these first new high-performance products on the European market. These new light bulbs and tubes are rated A class under the new EU Labelling regulations, which came into force in 2021, requiring a higher efficacy level compared to older EU regulations. With the ongoing and very sharp rise in energy costs, the energy savings benefits from the new ultra-efficient LED lights for large consumers such as industries, warehouses, offices and retail outlets as well as public buildings, schools and hospitals, where all-day lighting is required, are particularly substantial.
Although the incredible achievement of 210 lumen/watt shows a massive savings potential compared to current common lighting technology, from small scale consumers its initial purchase price may mean that it is not yet within everyone’s reach. For example, LED lamps of 110 lumen/watt are available in the market for approximately USD 3 to 5, whereas the price of the new 210 lumen/watt ultra-efficient LED lamps currently range from the USD 10 to USD 20 mark. Despite the relatively fast payback times from higher performance ultra-efficient LED lighting, and the high electricity costs in many countries, the payback times on a lamp which is 3 to 4 times more expensive to purchase initially might be considered too long by consumers for a fast global mass market transformation. Therefore, helping to improve the market share and thus the improved initial purchase price affordability of the new ultra-efficient LED lamps and tubes is a major consideration for governments and large consumers everywhere.
The graph and table below show the cost comparison between incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lights, current standard LED lamps and the new ultra-efficient LED lamps for a typical domestic situation (1,000 hours annual usage – around 2.7 hours per day).
Given the current market price of this new product, ultra-efficient lighting might not currently be every small-scale consumer’s first choice. However, the outstanding levels of energy efficiency available and thus, the high electricity savings to be made in a relatively short time, make these ultra-efficient lighting products the most viable option for purchases at the public level or in other bulk procurement situations. Ultra-efficient LED lighting options should be ideal in the framework of sustainable public procurement (or green public procurement), where end prices can become more competitive due to public tender processes and bulk procurement practices. Bulk purchasing (or “mass buying”) refers to the purchase of much larger quantities, for a unit price that is lower than usual, benefiting from economies of scale. Through this alternative, end users in public buildings such as hospitals, government offices, schools and universities, can take full advantage of new ultra-efficient LED lighting and governments can make the most of their investment compared to the other lighting alternatives currently available. Saving more electricity in lighting public spaces achieves shorter payback periods, along with significant financial savings in electricity bills and a reduced government environmental footprint from the related large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
With new national energy-efficient lighting programmes, electricity savings equivalent to the production of over 400 large power plants (500 MW each) could be achieved, delivering annual savings of more than 800 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and annual electricity bill savings of more than $ 100 billion for consumers. U4E’s recently updated country savings assessments for over 150 countries shows the large energy savings available with a particular focus on developing and emerging economies.
Technologies for artificial lighting have made tremendous progress over the centuries: from incandescent lamps, with a visible efficacy of about 10 lumen/watt, to compact fluorescent lighting with 50 lumen/watt, to the LED lamps as we know today of 110 lumen/watt to finally, this new LED breakthrough with incredible efficiency levels – 210 lumen/watt. Replacement of inefficient and obsolete lighting with LEDs is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to saving energy on lighting, but luckily, technological advancement within the lighting manufacturing sector makes the task easier, helping to cut global carbon emissions, reduce material waste, and to lower energy usage quickly and sustainably across all sectors of the economy – the next steps in lighting for a better world have just been taken.
LED lighting is up to 44% more efficient than 4-foot fluorescent tubes, according to a University of Michigan study.
The study compared the costs of six replacement options — one fluorescent and five LED — for linear recessed lighting systems and found that LED products were 18%-44% more efficient than T8 fluorescent lamps.
read the study
Lighting is responsible for 11% of electricity use in commercial buildings and residential basements, garages and shops. Linear recessed lighting systems, which are also called linear fixtures or troffer lights, are among the largest opportunities for energy efficiency improvement, given their long operating hours.
The study’s key takeaway is that switching to LEDs can save money and energy and reduce one’s carbon footprint, according to senior study author Greg Keoleian, co-director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the School for Environment and Sustainability.
“It’s definitely better to replace your fluorescent lamps with LEDs rather than replace them with new fluorescent lamps,” Keoleian said. “Our finding is consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy’s indication that LED systems are 25% more energy-efficient than fluorescents.”
LED lamps outperform fluorescent lamps in numerous ways, Keoleian said. They produce light without flickering, have higher energy efficiency and last longer, which leads to improved ambiance, less maintenance and energy cost savings.
LEDs also offer better dimming performance than fluorescent lamps. They have faster ramp-up to full brightness and are more energy-efficient at low dimming levels. In addition, LEDs do not contain mercury.
Keoleian and his team surveyed more than 160 LED replacement options, which included lamp replacements, retrofits and luminaire replacements.
A lamp replacement is a change-out of the lamps only and does not require any electrical modification, while a retrofit involves modifying the existing fixture to accommodate a new light source or electronics. A luminaire replacement is a full change-out of the lighting system, including the mechanical structure.
The study authors compared the costs of six replacement options:
• Replacing a burnt-out fluorescent lamp with a new fluorescent lamp (not recommended).
• Replacing a fluorescent lamp with a plug and play Type A LED lamp (this requires no modification with the current unit and is compatible with electronic or magnetic ballasts).
• Hiring an electrician to retrofit an existing fixture and using a ballast bypass or direct-wire Type B LED lamp.
• Using a hybrid Type AB LED lamp that works in an existing fixture or one where the ballast has been removed.
• Buying a whole new recessed unit (luminaire) that uses an LED lamp that allows users to change the style and eliminates the need for a ballast replacement.
• Buying a whole new recessed unit (luminaire) that uses an integrated non-replaceable LED lamp.
Among their key findings were that plug and play, direct wire and hybrid LEDs are all more cost-effective and energy-efficient options for replacing fluorescent lamps.
“These findings highlight tradeoffs when deciding between LED options and can help guide commercial building owners and managers who are considering lighting replacement,” said Keoleian, who previously studied the energy and cost savings of replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs.
The exact savings depend on lamp costs, electricity rates and labor costs for an electrician if one is retrofitting or replacing the recessed fixture, Keoleian said.
The LED options — except when purchasing a whole new lighting system (luminaire) — all result in cost savings over time. A whole new luminaire means a higher life cycle cost because of the higher upfront cost of a new unit.
The results are also applicable to residential buildings where T8 lamps and troffers are commonly used, particularly in workshops, basements and garages, Keoleian said.
The study was published online in the journal Lighting Research & Technology. Lixi Liu of the Center for Sustainable Systems and the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Geoff Lewis of the Center for Sustainable Systems are co-authors.
The research was supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows Program and the U-M Rackham Merit Fellowship.
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