This report summarizes the results of secondary and primary research conducted on behalf of three Puget Sound utilities in the State of Washington. The overall purpose of this study is to provide data to each of these utilities to enable the development of effectively targeted and positioned residential efficient lighting programs.

To enable their program planning and implementation efforts, the four largest utilities serving Puget Sound customers sponsored a residential Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) research study. Collaboratively, representatives from Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), and Tacoma Power designed this study to focus on the lighting needs and purchasing habits of residential customers within and across their collective service areas.

The utilities had two primary research objectives to be achieved by this study, for the Puget Sound area overall and for each utility service area:

1. To quantify standard (one-inch) screw-base sockets and the current placement of CFL bulbs, by room, fixture type, and control type; and
2. To quantify the saturation of CFL bulbs and assess consumer likelihood of installing additional CFL bulbs where they have not already done so.

Findings & Recommendations

The CFL market has changed considerably over the last 10 years. CFL bulbs have achieved a significant level of market penetration in the region though, as this study shows, a great amount of potential for these bulbs still remains. Different rooms, fixtures, and segments of the population each face unique situations and issues with respect to energy efficient lighting. Utilities will need to focus on developing strategies to specifically address these issues in order to realize the full potential CFL bulbs offer for their service territory and for the region. Following are key recommendations based on the findings from this research designed to aid future utility planning and marketing efforts aimed at increasing CFL bulbs in the residential sector.

Key Finding #1: Opportunity Exists for More CFL Installations

Data indicate that opportunities to install CFL bulbs exist in every area of the home and in each type of lighting fixture assessed through this survey. Additionally, CFL rebate and coupon programs are likely to increase customer willingness to purchase CFL bulbs.

Recommendation #1: Encourage installation of additional CFL bulbs throughout the house. Data indicate that a significant amount of potential still exists across all rooms, fixtures, and segments of the population.

Recommendation #2: Continue to facilitate consumer purchases through utility CFL rebate and coupon programs. Of survey respondents, 70% indicated that they would be more likely to purchase CFL bulbs with a rebate or coupon.

Key Finding #2: CFL Programs Should Be Targeted

There were some key differences observed between home owners and renters and type of home, between different types of rooms and when looking at type of control for specific fixtures, all of which should be addressed when developing programs.

Recommendation #3: Develop a strategy that focuses on encouraging individuals in the multifamily sector to try CFL bulbs for the first time. Both renters and apartment or condo dwellers were identified as the only two groups being significantly more likely than the rest of the population to have zero CFL bulbs in place.

Recommendation #4: Promote the use of CFL bulbs in low saturation rooms. Areas of the house such as bathrooms and dining rooms are two of the highest energy usage areas in the home, but have the lowest CFL saturation levels in the household.

Recommendation #5: Promote and provide information on all specialty bulbs currently available and continue efforts to promote development of specialty bulbs not yet available in the market. Specialty bulbs may be required for up to 35% of all fixtures in the average household in the Puget Sound area in order to work properly with lighting controls (i.e., dimmers, three-way switches, and sensors) and specific fixtures such as recessed cans. Since these bulbs may be required for a significant percentage of fixtures, utilities should continue and/or step up efforts to more vigorously work with manufacturers to make high quality specialty CFL bulbs more readily available for consumers.

Disseminate Research Findings

It is important with a study such as this that the sponsoring utilities disseminate the findings of this research broadly so that other organizations can benefit from this knowledge. Sharing these findings can and should result in conversations regarding how best to estimate savings from CFL programs, how to define and measure “attainable” savings, and how to address CFL “stockpiling”. These conversations may also result in regional utilities joining efforts to co-market CFL programs and marketing messages to achieve even greater impact with their conservation and energy efficiency dollars. Utilities may also wish to join forces to work with manufacturers, as well as wholesalers and retailers.

Continue to Measure CFL Saturation

The regional CFL saturation baseline established by this study should be used to ground future studies to assess how far the region has come with regard to residential CFL installations and whether future CFL programs are needed and in what form. It is recommended that the next study be performed two years from the beginning of this research effort (i.e., January 2009). If possible, to improve accuracy, the data should be collected through an on-site visit by a trained interviewer rather than relying on self-report data gathered via mail-based survey or even telephone interview.