More Americans Give Green Light to Energy-Saving Bulbs, But Are Dim About Urgency to Switch

DANVERS, MA — A new study by Osram Sylvania found that while adoption of more energy efficient lighting and awareness of advanced green lighting options are growing, Americans are nevertheless largely in the dark about the need to switch from traditional bulbs.

Results of the second annual Sylvania Socket Survey, which provides a look at the attitudes, awareness and action in the U.S. regarding lighting, were released today.

The survey found that 74 percent of respondents have switched to an energy-saving light bulb in the past year, yet the majority (also almost 75 percent) were unaware of the phase-out of incandescent bulbs that's to start in two years. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 calls for a transition to more energy efficient lighting beginning with 100-watt traditional bulbs as of January 1, 2012.
 
The study also showed that costs remain a central issue for the majority of respondents. They indicated that savings are a key factor for their buying green bulbs, and that they are acutely and increasingly sensitive to price with a focus on value.

"The good news is there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But, the challenge will be leading the way to the future of next-generation lighting," Osram Sylvania President and CEO Rick Leaman said in a statement releasing the study results.

"Consumers have made it clear that the difference between cost and value is more important now than ever and the industry will need to respond swiftly, even as we continue to innovate. 2010 will be a year of education, not only for consumers, but also for commercial customers as they begin to understand options offered by new-to-market energy efficient lighting solutions."

Highlights from the study include:

• 66 percent of respondents said they are likely to purchase a compact fluorescent light (CFL), halogen or light-emitting diode (LED) bulb in the future.
• CFLs are used in 71 percent of the homes in America and are second to traditional bulbs in terms of use.
• Halogens are used in 40 percent of homes.
• 12 percent are using LED lighting.
• 52 percent said price is a key consideration in purchasing; the responses reflect a 12 percent spike compared to 2008.
• Just 13 percent said they plan to buy extra 100-watt bulbs before the phase-out.
• 16 percent say they will shift to lower wattage incandescent light bulbs.
• 91 percent said they consider energy consumption per bulb to be an important factor.

This year's survey was conducted during a three-day period in November and involved more than 300 phone interviews with adults in the U.S.

Increasingly advanced lighting solutions are being used in prominent public venues.

Earlier this week Osram Sylvania, a division of global technology firm Siemens AG, announced that it is sponsoring the "It's a Small World" attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as part of a 12-year agreement between the Walt Disney Company and Siemens.

The arrangement includes attraction sponsorships and promotion of Siemens products and services at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Siemens maintains a major sustainability practice through its Building Technologies division; the Disney company also has ambitious programs for improving environmental responsibility.

The Sylvania Socket Survey follows the firm's release of its lifecycle assessment of Osram LED lamps earlier this year. That review concluded that the lamps achieve "a very high score for environmental friendliness" and are a "genuine alternative to incandescent lamps, even when considering the cumulative energy input and environmental factors."

Images of "It's A Small World," LED lamps and flexible LED lighting solutions courtesy of Osram Sylvania.