SDG&E’s Extreme Energy Makeover is a project designed to demonstrate the energy efficiency and conservation opportunities available in single-family homes built before the implementation of California’s Title 24 residential energy standards. These homes provide an opportunity for reducing energy used and achieving energy savings through the replacement and retrofit of existing inefficient appliance and energy utilizing systems.

Lighting Distinctions/Light Bulbs Unlimited was commissioned by SDG&E to completely renovate the lighting in an older home in San Diego County. The goal of the project was to increase the amount of light output in the home, while decreasing the amount of energy consumed.

Lighting Distinctions/Light Bulbs Unlimited used a combination of fluorescent, dimmable fluorescent, and LED. Every decorative fixture was replaced with an Energy Star and/or Title 24 compliant fixture that utilized integrated CFL lamps. The homeowner did not have to compromise on the design, as more and more manufacturers are providing decorative lighting that is both beautiful and energy efficient. They also wanted to communicate to the general public that by merely retrofitting CFL lamps they could make their existing fixtures more efficient.

The main areas of the home (living room, dining room, kitchen, family room) all had fluorescent down-lights installed. We maintained a feeling of warmth and intimacy by using CFL’s with a livable color temperature and high CRI, and by using dimmable ballasts. The high-quality dimming ballasts and compatible dimmers they used allowed a dimming range of 100% intensity to 1% intensity. This breakthrough in dimming technology for fluorescent is remarkable! By installing dimmable fluorescent recessed down-lights they were able to increase the energy efficiency by more than 50%, giving the homeowner maximum flexibility with a lighting system that is as warm and bright as incandescent lighting.

One of the most exciting aspects of this project is the ability to integrate LED lamps into the plan. LED lamps replaced the standard MR16 halogen lamps that would have been used for the interior art lighting. Traditionally, 50 watt MR16 bulbs are used for this application but Lighting Distinctions/Light Bulbs Unlimited was able to substitute them for 3-watt MR16 LED's, thereby increasing efficiency by over 95%! In addition to the art lighting, they added low voltage landscape lighting to the front exterior of the home. This system also utilized LED technology by replacing the standard 20 watt MR16 halogen bulb with 4 watt LED's.

The transformation of this home was quite extraordinary. Overall, Lighting Distinctions/Light Bulbs Unlimited doubled the amount of light output in the home. The amount of energy consumed, however, was decreased. The total peak lighting load went from 3.807 kilowatts to 1.943 kilowatts, for a 49% reduction in consumption.

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