Recent analysis by E Source shows that 81 percent of households in the United States already have at least one compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). And in the two states with the lowest market penetration of CFLs (North and South Dakota), more than two-thirds of households have one. Market penetration is highest in Alaska and California, where approximately 87 percent of households already have at least one CFL and nearly 50 percent have six or more.
E Source also looked at political mind-set and found that people who identify themselves as conservatives, moderates, or liberals use almost the same amount of CFLs. “Apparently saving money on electricity bills isn’t really a political issue for most people,” says E Source President Michael Shepard. CFLs use approximately one-third of the energy of a standard incandescent lightbulb.
“Lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of the nation’s electricity use, and the potential for savings is immense,” says Shepard. “We have seen lighting companies develop vastly improved lamps and fixtures over the past decade due to consumer demand and utility programs. And further innovation by lighting manufacturers has already been spurred by efficiency standards.”
E Source has also found the following trends in CFL usage:
- Homeowners are more likely to have at least one CFL (85 percent of households) than renters (74 percent). This is somewhat surprising because purchasing CFLs is one of the few efficiency measures renters can easily invest in without landlord involvement.
- Older people are more likely than younger people to have at least one CFL, with the highest use among the 65+ age group (at 85 percent market penetration), and the lowest use among the 18–35 age group (at 79 percent market penetration).
- Higher income groups are more likely to use CFLs, with approximately 87 percent of those making over $75,000 per year having at least one, and 74 percent of those making less than $25,000 per year having at least one. But even for the low end, that’s a very respectable market penetration.
Overall, CFLs are increasingly making their way into light sockets across the U.S. In 2000, CFL sales amounted to only 1 to 2 percent of residential lighting sales, but now they account for nearly 28 percent of residential sales, according to Energy Star. Energy Star also reports that at an average price of $2 to $3 per CFL, the typical payback is about seven months.
E Source has been providing unbiased, objective energy business intelligence to over 300 utilities and large energy users for more than 20 years. Our benchmarking services are supported by the latest market research looking at what customers want from their utilities. Our research analysts and consultants are among the best minds in the business, delivering significant and timely research that equips our customers with the right information at the right time to make better, faster decisions. We predict and address trends, technologies, and problems related to energy efficiency, utility customer satisfaction, program design, marketing, customer management, and sustainability.
For details about scheduling interviews with the research staff or service manager involved with this study, please contact:
Wendy Bloechle, Director of Marketing, E Source
E-mail Wendy Bloechle
303-345-9181