Why LEDs haven't yet cut energy use for lighting

Eamon Barrett, proprietor of Altitude bike shop in Waterford, Ireland, believes that bright illumination enhances the appeal of bicycles to potential buyers. However, the constant use of energy-intensive fluorescent bulbs, particularly in a business promoting an eco-friendly mode of transport, was a concern for him. Approximately three years ago, he made the decision to transition to more energy-efficient LED lighting throughout his showroom, workshop, canteen, and back offices.

The new lighting system, powered by solar panels and a battery, incorporates motion sensors that activate the lights only when someone enters the room. Mr Barrett is pleased with the results, noting an improvement in lighting quality and a 35% reduction in his annual electricity bill. He suggests that the savings could have been even greater if not for the surge in energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the benefits of LED lighting, which has been available for decades, many businesses have yet to adopt it. This reluctance is largely due to the initial expense involved in transitioning to LED lighting. Mr Barrett invested approximately €10,000 (£8,800; $10,900) in new lighting for his 6-7,000 sq ft property and anticipates a seven-year period to recoup this investment, in addition to the cost of the solar panels and battery.

According to the International Energy Agency, LED lights accounted for 50% of global lighting sales last year. However, the total energy consumption for lighting is actually increasing due to the growing number of people installing electric lights. While the latest LEDs are highly efficient, additional measures may be necessary to prevent an overall increase in energy usage for lighting. Shivika Mittal from Imperial College London's Grantham Institute suggests that the increasing number of lights used in households is offsetting the energy savings from switching to LED. She notes that while many residential properties, particularly in the West, have adopted LEDs, the transition is slower in commercial buildings. Government policies could incentivize businesses to switch, and further energy savings could be achieved by pairing lighting with smart systems, such as the motion sensors used by Mr Barrett.