Lighting

Share this

Lighting likely accounts for 12% of your home’s energy use – but don’t worry. Improving lighting is a fast, simple way to reduce energy bills. And with new lighting standards, you have more money-saving options than ever before.

New Lighting Standards

Since new lighting standards began in January 2012, light bulbs are almost 30% more efficient than the old-style incandescent bulbs. That means families who change at least 15 of their bulbs could save between $50 and more than $100 per year in electricity costs.

Learn easy ways to manage the transition

2011: The Year in Energy Efficiency

In 2011, energy efficiency helped create jobs, cut costs and make the United States more energy independent. Read on for the biggest advances made last year in energy efficiency.

In 2011, energy efficiency helped create jobs, cut costs and make the United States more energy independent. Read on for the biggest advances made last year in energy efficiency.

Policy

Many pieces of bipartisan legislation supporting energy efficiency were introduced in Congress.

February 28, 2012 - 12:00pm - March 1, 2012 - 5:00pm
208 Barton Springs Road, 78704 Austin, Texas

Federal Buildings: Leading in Energy Efficiency

The government is the largest user of electricity and fuel in the United States, and buildings account for about 30% of its energy use. To save energy – and taxpayer money – nearly all government agencies are adopting energy efficiency measures.

By Aaron Sutch

The White House recently pledged $2 billion for energy efficiency improvements in federal buildings, underscoring efforts already underway to save energy in several government facilities.

Congress Passes FY 2012 Appropriations, Limits Funding for Energy Efficiency

Congress averted a government shutdown by approving an omnibus spending bill that funds DOE and other agencies for FY 2012. Some energy efficiency programs received increases, but Congress rescinded funding for lighting standards enforcement and dramatically cut the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Jan. 5, 2012 Update: New efficiency standards for incandescent light bulbs went into effect on Jan. 1, 2012. Despite the lack of federal funding to enforce the law, domestic lighting manufacturers are required to abide by it, and the overwhelming majority are doing so by producing more energy-efficient bulbs. 

Syndicate content