Estimating remaining energy
Residential lighting metering study
Utilities and government agencies have become increasingly aware of the need to promote energy efficiency in the residential sector throughout the world. In the residential lighting area, many organizations have introduced programs to promote the adoption of energy efficiency lighting products, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Furthermore, these organizations have increasingly utilized an approach that provides an upstream subsidy to CFL manufacturers and retailers who then pass on the incentive to consumers through reduced prices. With oversight from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the four largest investor-owned utilities in California implemented such a program. During 2006-08, participating manufacturers and retailers received nearly $175 million in subsidies, which resulted in discounted prices offered for more than 100 million energy efficient lighting products throughout the state.
Project
KEMA conducted a large-scale comprehensive residential lighting metering study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the California 2006-08 Upstream Lighting Program, on behalf of the CPUC. The study’s primary goal was to estimate annual and peak lighting use by dwelling type, room type, and fixture/lamp type. During 2008-09, KEMA randomly recruited 1,200 California households from IOU customer databases. KEMA developed an initial whole-house lighting inventory for each participant, by recording information on all interior and exterior lighting fixtures, such as lamp wattage and shape, and base type. Using a randomized meter installation protocol, KEMA surveyors installed up to four meters on CFL fixtures and up to three meters on other lamp fixtures per household. The meters collected data for at least six months, which KEMA analyzed to estimate average daily hours of use (HOU) for CFLs, and estimate HOU by fixture type, room/location, dwelling type, home size, income, education, and other demographics.
Key results
KEMA’s innovative use of data loggers to measure light by daily HOU and type of fixture and room has provided the most accurate information on actual operating profiles for various types of lights in a range of residential settings to date. Previous efforts depended on manufacturers’ estimates or utility customers’ self-report surveys. The study found that the residential sector used CFLs only 1.8 hours/day on average. This is about 20% lower than 2.2 hours/day on average, which utilities previously assumed. The CPUC used the study’s results to update the 2006-08 Upstream Lighting Program’s energy savings estimates.
Client
> California Public Utilities Commission, United States
Project details
> Duration: late 2007 – February 2010