Retail Observer

AUGUST 2014 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 57 T he most inefficient light bulbs may now be off the market, in response to new federal standards, but nearly 70 percent of light bulb sockets in the U.S. still contain an inefficient bulb. Most people spend more to light their home than to operate their refrigerator, dishwasher, and laundry equipment combined! Retailers across the country are stepping up to help change that. Last spring, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenged retailers to sell 20 million ENERGY STAR ® certified LED bulbs by Earth Day 2014. This challenge introduced consumers to the next horizon in high-performing, energy efficient lighting and set the stage, potentially, for a wholesale transfor- mation of the lighting market. With the stakes so high, retailers are stocking and promoting LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR label for good reason. Only ENERGY STAR LED bulbs are certified by inde- pendent third parties against a long list of rigorous performance requirements. Just like early CFLs, LED technology has its challenges, in particular suffering from limitations affecting brightness and light distribution. However, to earn the ENERGY STAR label, LED bulbs must overcome these challenges and demonstrate they can deliver on brightness and produce light in all directions. These bulbs use 75 percent less energy and they can last 25 times longer. A single bulb can save $135 over its lifetime. Retailers and their customers are stepping up to the ENERGY STAR LED Bulb Challenge. So far, more than 10 million ENERGY STAR LED bulbs have been purchased. Replacing 20 million traditional bulbs with ENERGY STAR LED bulbs will ultimately save Americans more than $118 million each year in energy costs and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to emissions from 3.5 million vehicles. Retailers from coast to coast have joined in, and people across the country are trying out LED technology. Some of the actions that partnering retailers have taken to drive this challenge include offering LED bulbs at lower prices, partnering with utility companies to provide incentives to customers in local markets to drive adoption, working on consumer education efforts in- store, including featuring ENERGY STAR Lighting Made Easy information and educational signage about light bulb technology choices. Some retailers have also displayed a new LED display that highlights why ENERGY STAR certification is important. This challenge is another great way for EPA and its ENERGY STAR lighting partners to help consumers find the perfect lighting for their home. As the price of LED bulbs continues to drop, customers can now find ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs at dramatically lower prices than just a year ago—some as low as $5 in store. Since the start of the challenge, the ENERGY STAR LED Bulb Challenge reached a major milestone with over 10 million reported certified bulbs sold across the U.S. This latest count marks the halfway point to the 20 million bulb goal, as ENERGY STAR and its partners work to educate Americans about the importance of looking for the ENERGY STAR label to save energy, save money and help protect the climate. To learn more about the ENERGY STAR LED Bulb Challenge and ENERGY STAR certified lighting, please visit: www.energystar.gov/lighting. RO Daily Hours of Use 3 Product Lifetime (Hours) 25,000 Years Active 22.83 Electricity Cost ($/kWh) ($/kWh) $0.11 Emissions Factor (pounds CO2E / kWh) 1.54 Car Emissions (pounds CO2 / car / yr) 10,582 Annual KWh Savings 1,051,200,000 Annual CO2 Savings (lbs) 1,618,848,000 SAVINGS ASSUMPTIONS FOR 20 MILLION ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED LED BULBS

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