The use of energy-saving lights slips in Thunder Bay, Ont.
CBC
According to new Statistics Canada data, the use of energy-efficient light bulbs has declined over the past several years.
The data, which tracks household lighting use from 2017 to 2023, shows Thunder Bay continues to match or exceed the national average for energy-saving lighting. Still, the overall trend points to a gradual decline.
In 2017, 93 per cent of Thunder Bay households reported using at least one type of energy-saving light. By 2023, that figure had fallen to 85 per cent. Canada saw a similar pattern, dropping from 90 per cent to 84 per cent over the same period.
The biggest shift comes from compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, which have steadily fallen out of favour. In Thunder Bay, CFL use dropped from 67 per cent in 2017 to 44 per cent in 2023. Nationally, CFL use fell from 55 per cent to 30 per cent.
LED lights, excluding holiday lights, remained consistently high. In Thunder Bay, LED use hovered in the mid-50 per cent range and stayed stable at about 51 per cent between 2021 and 2023. Nationally, LED use ranged between 50 and 53 per cent before dipping slightly to 48 per cent in 2023.
Graham Saunders, president of Environment North, says the local trend mirrors what’s happening elsewhere.
“I suppose that Thunder Bay isn’t fundamentally different from other communities in Ontario,” Saunders said. “The use of fluorescence is down generally.”
Saunders says the decline in households using at least one energy-saving light may reflect saturation, rather than rejection.
“Probably two things,” he explained. “One is that many people who have thought about this have already done it, so there’s no need to continue to buy more.”
He adds that concerns about disposal may also be playing a role.
“Maybe some of the issues about recycling and mercury have put some people off,” Saunders said.
Ali Zad, a registered energy advisor with Green Superior, says the numbers align with what he sees while working in energy-efficiency programs across northwestern Ontario.
“Sometimes we expect this house to be new, and they have to use the LED light bulbs, Energy Star-certified LED light bulbs, but they are still using the incandescent light bulbs,” he said.
Based on his experience, Zad says lack of awareness remains the biggest obstacle.
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