December 6, 2011

As consumers, businesses and governments alike begin to implement more sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, we are constantly being introduced to new and innovative products. One advancement, which has helped businesses and individuals save on energy costs, is the switch from incandescent lighting to more efficient lighting solutions, such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Organizations within the hospitality industry often install abundant lighting throughout their premises - and these lights are usually on. Therefore, the style of bulb can have a large impact on the carbon footprint and energy efficiency of day-to-day operations.

In 2007, U.S. legislators passed The Energy Independence and Security Act, also referred to as the "Energy Bill," to enact the transition toward more efficient lighting. Beginning in January 2012, incandescent bulbs will be phased out since the new standard will require screw-based light bulbs to use less actual wattage to produce a similar lumen. Going forward consumers and businesses will need to decide among alternative lighting products, such as CFLs and LEDs. Below we illustrate the benefits and drawbacks to both.

While both forms of lighting are energy-efficient, LEDs do not contain mercury, which makes their disposal less hazardous to the people that handle them and the environment. It’s important to note however, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, using energy-efficient bulbs reduces demand for power, which in turn reduces the amount of coal burned by power plants and the amount of mercury emitted when coal is burned. Therefore, the mercury used inside CFLs is outweighed by the amount of mercury they prevent from being released into the atmosphere when coal is burned. The amount of mercury contained in a single CFL bulb is tiny, about the size of the very tip a ballpoint pen, but as a result, CFL bulbs need to be handled with care and recycled properly. Consult your local waste management company, hardware store or look online for CFL recycling programs in your area. 

LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours, compared to CFLs, which can last up to 12,000 hours. And recent studies reveal that the average actual lifespan of a CFL bulb often falls short of its projected lifespan, especially when turned on and off frequently. The efficiencies associated to LEDs are clear. After researching the innovative lighting method, the Department of Energy found that replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs could potentially save 190 terawatt-hours annually - the equivalent of lighting over 95 million homes. The efficiency gains could definitely yield impressive reductions in energy consumption for businesses as well as global carbon emissions.

However, individually, LED bulbs can run as much as $50, making the initial investment a bit hefty. Additionally, the high price tag might make these bulbs appealing targets of theft in spaces like hotel rooms. One idea for hotels to consider would be using CFLs inside guest rooms and LEDs in public areas such as lobbies, restaurants, swimming pools and common rooms, where light fixtures tend to be higher off the ground and less susceptible to theft. And keep an eye out for future innovations in LED products, including bulbs that can be locked into place, eliminating the risk of theft.

For more information, see the chart below which compares CFLs and LEDs on a number of important factors. You can also visit manufacturer websites such as General Electric, Osram Sylvania, Philips Lighting and Technical Consumer Products (TCP) for more information and new products. Avendra customers can also find information on contracted suppliers and manufacturers by logging into myAvendra and searching for terms such as “lighting” or “light bulbs.”