DOE releases Gateway demo report on residential LED lighting

Demo kitchen The US Department of Energy (DOE) has published the report from the Eugene, Oregon, “2008 Tour of Homes” demonstration of LED residential downlights and undercabinet lights. This Gateway report, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides an overview of project results including significant energy savings, improved illuminance uniformity and positive user feedback.

Key findings
• The LED downlight product drew 12 W of power, reducing energy use by 82% compared to a 65 W incandescent reflector lamp, and by 84% compared to a 75 W halogen reflector lamp.
• The LED undercabinet fixture drew 10 W, cutting energy use by 83% to 90% compared to a halogen product tested at two power settings.

Demonstration products

Cree LR6 downlight The LED LR6 downlight product was developed by LED Lighting Fixtures Corp. (LLF) and is sold by Cree LED Lighting Solutions as a replacement for incandescent, compact fluorescent, and halogen lamps in recessed can downlights. It has its own optics, trim, heat sink, and screw (or GU-24) base designed to allow the entire product to be installed in existing recessed downlight fixtures.

The second product evaluated was Philips’ eW® Profile Powercore undercabinet fixture, which was designed to mount under kitchen cabinets to illuminate the countertop and backsplash surfaces.

Procedure Two lighting technologies, an LED replacement for lamps (bulbs) in downlights and an LED undercabinet lighting fixture, were evaluated in the demonstration, which was conducted in two homes built for the 2008 Tour of Homes in Eugene, Oregon. The homes were built by the Lane County Home Builders Association and Future B Homes. The Energy Trust of Oregon also participated in the demonstration project, the Gateway report says.

Philips' eW Profile Powercore

Quantitative and qualitative measurements of light performance and electrical power usage were taken at each site before and after initially installed halogen and incandescent lamps were replaced with the LED products. Energy savings and simple paybacks were calculated and builders who toured the homes were surveyed for their responses to the LED products, the report continues.

Positive response
Builders who toured the homes were asked to complete a written survey regarding their perceptions of the light quality. The LED sources received favorable reception from the builders who had the opportunity to compare them against incandescent and halogen sources.

Close to half of the surveyed builders thought that LED-based fixtures added to the overall value of the houses, and a number indicated their willingness to use the new light sources where it makes sense for them economically. While the survey population probably contains a higher percentage of progressive builders, these responses indicated that the installed products are performing to their expectations.

More information
For more details, download the complete Eugene demonstration report at www.netl.doe.gov/ssl.

This residential LED lighting demonstration is one of a number of DOE Gateway demonstrations that showcase high-performance LED products for general illumination.

To learn more about DOE's Gateway demonstration program, visit www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/techdemos.htm.