A Lighting Study to Stand the Test of Time: Exploring the Results of a Residential Lighting Study Designed to Produce Lasting Data

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) and the increasing presence in the market of new lighting technologies like LEDs and EISA-compliant halogens are two factors that will likely lead to rapid change in the residential lighting market in the coming years—change that means hours-of-use (HOU) estimates based on specific lighting technologies are likely to become obsolete very quickly. This presents evaluators with a conundrum: how to design a study that applies to current market conditions and program designs, while allowing for the development of HOU data that will adapt to changing technologies and regulations in the future. In short, how can we design a study that will stand the test of time? By developing estimates at the room level and logging both efficient and inefficient bulbs, the Northeast Residential Lighting HOU study was designed to develop HOU estimates that are not tied to specific technologies and can be updated over time by combining location-specific HOU estimates with data on where energy-efficient bulbs are being installed. Using this approach, the study increases its shelf life by eliminating the need for additional costly HOU studies in response to new technologies or changes in where households are installing bulbs. This paper presents HOU data for eight different combinations of income and housing types across eight areas for both efficient and inefficient bulb types. It also explores findings regarding snapback or “take back” behavior, which can be difficult to measure in upstream programs.