Quick energy efficiency news for September 8…
So yes, LEDs have truly arrived. LED prices have declined enough to make them economical for almost every setting and use, says a recent report by Navigant Research
Liked for their efficiency, LEDs will achieve a global market total of $216 billion from 2015 to 2024, according to Navigant.
The market is buoyed by a shortened payback – it now takes 2-4 years, or less, to recoup investment. In addition more countries are banning less efficient lighting. Mostly in North America and Europe so far, but Latin American and Asian countries are introducing similar legislation too.
“For commercial buildings, the shift to LEDs has been the most dramatic in retrofit projects where older bulbs are being replaced specifically to improve efficiency,” says Jesse Foote, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “This change is happening at such a fast rate that LEDs are expected to knock inefficient technologies like incandescent and halogen bulbs out of the market by 2024.”
An executive summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.
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And it’s not only the LED light market that is burgeoning. Consider the 55th IFA, a mega trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances that opened in Berlin September 4.
Show organizers, the Society for Entertainment and Communications Electronics and Messe Berlin, reported that the show attracted 1,493 exhibitors spread over a 145,000-square meter exhibition area.,
Smart home, sustainable development, energy efficiency and healthy eating are the latest show trends, according to the organizers. Home appliances, in particular, focused on healthy eating, intelligent interconnectivity and energy conservation.
Some highlighted projects were:
- A tripod style or T-door refrigerator powered by an oil-free compressor and gas-suspension power technology, which maintains a constant temperature within the refrigerator cavity, assuring both the freshness of the food down to the cellular level, as well as consumers worldwide of a healthy and nutritious diet.
- A”double drum” washing machine, which is equipped with separate top and bottom drums to wash separate loads. For shoppers in Europe and the U.S., this is expected to be a more energy-efficient and time-saving choice.
- An solid state smart cooling wine cabinet. Users can remotely check on the contents and control the operation and environment of the wine cabinet through a mobile app at any time. The wine cabinet provides a specialized and suitable storage environment for wine.
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To help customers lower their energy bills, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has launched a new online store for customers to quickly and easily shop for energy saving products offered by third-party retailers.
SDG&E is among the first utilities in the nation to launch this type of online tool, according to Caroline Winn, SDG&E’s chief energy delivery officer.
” Choosing the energy efficiency products that are right for you can take time and be confusing. The SDG&E Marketplace makes it easy and empowers our customers to choose the products that help them save electricity and money,” she said.
Customers will be able to shop for rebate-eligible products, such as high-efficiency appliances, smart thermostats, and water conservation products. The SDG&E Marketplace also offers an option for personalized energy-saving tips based on a customer’s home profile and smart meter data. To explore the new SDG&E Marketplace, visit sdgemarketplace.com.
