In the last decade or so, sustainability has become much more than just a buzzword, especially on the corporate level.
As more and more businesses are seriously pursuing lower carbon footprints, the world has turned to various energy optimization solutions. These measures are expected to contribute to emission reduction in the long run.
Among these solutions is environmentally friendly lighting.
Sustainable lighting solutions take many forms, and they provide undeniable value. A small change can significantly lower carbon footprints. Furthermore, eco-friendly lighting can increase corporate productivity and reduce business owners' expenses.
So, just how much of a difference can reducing your light footprint make? And how can we measure carbon footprint saved from lighting?
Let’s take a closer look.
The Rise of Environmentally-Friendly Lighting Solutions
Before we can determine the carbon footprint saved from lighting, it is vital to understand the evolution of lighting solutions. What are the different kinds of lightbulbs, and how do they contribute to emission reduction?
Traditional Light Bulbs
Also known as incandescent bulbs, they have been lighting up homes and offices for over a hundred years. Unfortunately, they also leave a large light footprint.
Most traditional bulbs end up converting only a small percentage of energy into visible light. They are extremely inefficient, especially when used on a large scale.
Additionally, traditional bulbs do not last long and must be replaced often, thus increasing expenses and waste. They may also pose a fire hazard as they are prone to overheating.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen lights are an upgrade to incandescent bulbs because they last slightly longer. However, as more environmentally friendly lighting solutions are being introduced, Halogen lights have been slowly falling out of favor.
Apart from their relatively short lifespans, they also generate a lot of heat. This can increase utility costs, especially in warmer climates.
CFL Bulbs
CFLs were the first big game changer in environmentally friendly lighting. These bulbs are up to 80% more efficient than halogen and traditional lights, and they were designed to last much longer. To this day, they are a popular option for homes or businesses looking to significantly lower light footprints.
But their popularity and efficiency pale in comparison to the most eco-friendly lighting solution available to date: LED lights.
Let’s take a look at LED lights environmental impact.
The Environmental Impact of LED Lights
LED lights are by far the best option for any business or home looking to make strides in emission reduction. They are the most efficient lighting solutions and some of the most cost-effective ways to reduce a light footprint.
Here are some factors that make them the ideal choice on a corporate and individual level:
They Last Longer
As the world looks for more sustainable lighting solutions, LEDs will lead the way. They can last around 17 years, which is ten times longer than traditional options. This durability dramatically reduces the amount of waste generated in the long run.
They’re More Efficient
LED lights are significantly more efficient, drawing much less energy to produce the same output. In fact, LEDs use 15 times less energy than halogens and three times less than CFLs. This delivers immense financial and environmental benefits for corporations that require large-scale lighting solutions.
They Reduce Emissions
All lighting options release a certain amount of carbon dioxide into the environment. Traditional light bulbs release up to 4,500 pounds of CO2 every year. By contrast, LED lighting carbon footprint is miniscule, at about 450 pounds of CO2 per year.
At the same time, LED lights produce almost no UV emissions.
Besides their massive emission reduction benefits, LED lights are also manufactured to be recyclable, greatly reducing material and production costs and contributing to a circular economy.
They Are Chemical-Free
Traditional lighting solutions, including fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs, contain toxic chemicals like mercury, which are highly detrimental to the environment. This is especially damaging if they are disposed of in areas without proper waste management systems.
LED lights do not contain any toxins. This, combined with their longer lifespan and recyclable properties, significantly reduces toxic waste.
No matter which way you look at it, the environmental impact of LED lights is much lower than every other option that has come before it. In fact, an Environmental Protection Agency study has shown that switching out all lights in US homes with LED alternatives can reduce emissions by 9 billion pounds.
Additional Tips for Sustainable Lighting
It isn’t just the bulbs that have been helping reduce emissions. Larger-scale lighting projects have also been using cutting-edge technology to reduce light footprints.
Some of these include:
Introducing smart lighting technologies that allow businesses and homeowners to control their lighting systems remotely. This could involve fixing schedules or adjusting brightness levels.
Energy consulting services also place importance on lighting design and room layouts. In a corporate setting, this includes making the most of sunlight hours or tracking employee activity to adjust lighting requirements accordingly.
Regular maintenance can also go a long way in reducing carbon footprints. Removing dirt and debris and replacing broken and old fixtures can significantly improve the efficiency of environmentally-friendly lighting solutions.
The Bottom Line
When looking to lower carbon footprints, switching out light fixtures doesn’t necessarily strike us as the most obvious solution. But as we’ve seen, even a small change can have a massive impact on reducing emissions.
Given the minimal environmental impact of LED lights and the hundreds of new lighting solutions that technology can offer, it is possible to reduce waste, reliance on fossil fuels, and greenhouse gas emissions.
If this sounds promising to you, and you want to make the change, look no further than NRG Incentives. Our company designs, manufactures, and deploys end-to-end sustainable custom lighting solutions that are guaranteed to reduce your light footprint.
We also offer utility outreach services that will help you make the switch by taking advantage of local, state, and federal grants.
Whether you’re looking to benefit from a lower LED lighting carbon footprint or want to learn more about how technology and layout can contribute to emission reduction, contact NRG Incentives today.
