Lighting accounts for 11% of a business’s energy use, on average.¹ And though lighting systems have the largest potential of any known appliance to reduce energy use in the U.S.,² only one in five commercial buildings today uses energy efficiency tools like advanced lighting controls to limit the cost of lighting.³ In fact, flex office hours and summertime schedules mean advanced lighting controls present an opportunity for small businesses to unlock large energy savings. One recent study at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab showed how multiple lighting strategies can yield up to 38% less energy use.⁴

PECO offers solutions for a number of strategies for small businesses who want to increase their energy efficiency, upgrade their workplace and decrease energy bills. Resulting lighting improvements often pay for themselves within a year, especially with the help of PECO incentives. 

A recent PECO Small Business Solutions lighting upgrade completed at Stein’s, “I was so happy with how it worked out,” says owner Lee Stein. “We saved money on the installation and improved the look and feel of the space. And we are saving money, too.”

¹ “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).” U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=99&t=3. Accessed 18 April 2023.
² “Max Tech Appliance Design: Potential for Maximizing U.S. Energy Savings through Standards.” Energy Technologies Area, https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/max-tech-appliance-design-potential. Accessed 18 April 2023.
³ “2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey Building Characteristics Highlights.” EIA, https://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2018/pdf/CBECS_2018_Building_Characteristics_Flipbook.pdf. Accessed 18 April 2023.
⁴ “A Meta-Analysis of Energy Savings from Lighting Controls in Commercial Buildings.”
Publications, https://eta‑publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/a_meta‑analysis_of_energy_savings_from_lighting_controls_in_commercial_buildings_lbnl-5095e.pdf. Accessed 18 April 2023.