New data from Statistics Canada reveals a decline in the adoption of energy-efficient light bulbs in recent years. The statistics tracking household lighting usage from 2017 to 2023 indicate that Thunder Bay has consistently met or surpassed the national average for energy-saving lighting, but there has been an overall downward trend.
In 2017, 93% of households in Thunder Bay reported using at least one type of energy-saving light, which dropped to 85% by 2023. Similarly, across Canada, the percentage decreased from 90% to 84% during the same period.
The most significant change has been the decline in the use of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). In Thunder Bay, CFL usage decreased from 67% in 2017 to 44% in 2023, while nationally, it fell from 55% to 30%.
On the other hand, the utilization of LED lights, excluding holiday lights, remained consistently high. In Thunder Bay, LED use stayed around the mid-50% range and maintained stability at approximately 51% from 2021 to 2023. Nationally, LED usage ranged between 50% and 53% before slightly decreasing to 48% in 2023.
Graham Saunders, the president of Environment North, noted that the local trend in Thunder Bay aligns with broader patterns. He suggested that the decline in energy-saving light adoption may be due to market saturation rather than rejection, with many already having made the switch. Concerns about disposal and recycling issues were also mentioned as potential factors influencing consumer choices.
Ali Zad, a registered energy advisor at Green Superior, emphasized the need for increased awareness about the energy efficiency benefits of different types of light bulbs. He highlighted that many households are still using less energy-efficient incandescent bulbs due to a lack of information.
Zad called for more provincial and federal support in northern Ontario, where extreme weather conditions lead to higher energy consumption. He stressed the importance of education and programs to promote energy efficiency.
Both Saunders and Zad pointed out that cost is no longer a significant barrier to adopting energy-efficient lighting, with only a minor price difference between various types of bulbs. Saunders suggested that the focus may have shifted towards larger-scale energy-saving initiatives such as solar panels and batteries, where incentives are still available.
Ontario Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce shared that the province is expanding energy-saving programs to help households save money and reduce electricity consumption. He highlighted the success of these initiatives in conserving power and benefiting the environment.
Saunders and Berger emphasized the importance of individual actions like using energy-efficient lighting as symbolic gestures towards addressing broader environmental challenges and encouraging policy changes. They noted that raising awareness about the significance of such small steps could lead to more significant environmental impacts.