13/10/2026
Energy Efficiency
When it comes to energy, this is the area of lighting that the public knows the most about. And yet, their knowledge is still insufficient.
Energy efficiency is the best-known topic in our study. Decades of communication about energy conservation, the phase-out of incandescent lamps and the transition to LEDs have created a strong mental link between lighting and electricity consumption. General energy-saving potential is recognised comparatively well, with correct response rates of 72–74%.
However, the story did not end with the transition to LEDs — and this is precisely where the knowledge gaps become apparent:
• Questions about the sustainability of LED products achieved a correct response rate of only 57%.
• Questions about information provided on product packaging achieved 65%.
Public understanding has not kept pace with technological developments in LED lighting. Many people still think in terms of “LED automatically equals sustainable”. They underestimate the fact that service life, repairability, material use and control technologies can now offer even greater leverage.
What this means for practice:
Energy efficiency remains a reliable starting point in conversations with clients. However, it must be expanded to include newer aspects: user-centred controls, which can deliver additional energy savings of 30–60%, and product quality that goes beyond a simple comparison of wattage.
Photo source: shutterstock/ Ashes Sitoula/ Riccardo Annandale
