MeECHanisms | Make energy change happen toolkit

EnERLIn – Efficient Residential Lighting Initiative

In 2006, the Universite Toulouse in France created the ‘European Efficient Residential Lighting Initiative’ (EnERLIn) with the aim of promoting the use of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and increasing their penetration by 50% through a comprehensive promotion campaign and quality charter. The project coordinators set out to identify the reasons for the rejection of CFLs and translate them into clear and understandable statements for non-specialists. This article will explore the EnERLIn initiative in more detail, including the methodology used and the outcomes achieved.

Introduction

The EnERLIn project aims to promote the use of CFLs, a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs, by identifying the reasons why consumers reject them and developing a comprehensive promotion campaign to change consumer attitudes. The initiative’s success is measured by increasing the penetration of CFLs by 50% and ensuring that they deliver long-term savings while meeting customer expectations for high-quality lighting.

The EnERLIn Methodology

The EnERLIn methodology is based on addressing a large number of target groups and key actors, including manufacturers, retailers, households, and consumers. The project coordinators developed and validated functional, efficient scenarios for CFL promotion campaigns on European, national, and regional levels. Simultaneously, the EnERLIn initiative disseminated a quality charter among all stakeholders to ensure that CFLs met customers’ expectations for high-quality lighting and long-term savings.

EnERLIn in Latvia

The EnERLIn initiative was implemented in Latvia, in the municipality of Jelgava, where the campaign’s success was measured by the quadrupling of CFL sales during its implementation. Furthermore, residents’ attitudes towards energy-saving and the municipality of Jelgava changed dramatically. The EnERLIn methodology’s success in Jelgava has been replicated across Europe, where the initiative has increased the penetration of CFLs by 50%.

EnERLIn’s Impact on the Environment

The EnERLIn initiative’s impact on the environment is significant, with the use of CFLs reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. A single CFL bulb can save up to 80% of the energy used by a traditional incandescent bulb and last up to ten times longer. By promoting the use of CFLs, EnERLIn is helping to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

The EnERLIn initiative has been successful in promoting the use of CFLs across Europe, with the methodology’s success in Jelgava replicated across the continent. By identifying the reasons for the rejection of CFLs and developing a comprehensive promotion campaign, EnERLIn has changed consumer attitudes towards energy-efficient lighting, increased the penetration of CFLs by 50%, and contributed to a more sustainable future.

FAQs

  1. What is EnERLIn? EnERLIn is the European Efficient Residential Lighting Initiative, a project created by the Universite Toulouse in France to promote the use of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and increase their penetration by 50% through a comprehensive promotion campaign and quality charter.
  2. Why is EnERLIn important? EnERLIn is important because it promotes the use of energy-efficient lighting, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions and contributing to a more sustainable future.
  3. How does EnERLIn promote the use of CFLs? EnERLIn promotes the use of CFLs by identifying the reasons for their rejection and developing a comprehensive promotion campaign to change consumer attitudes. The initiative also disseminates a quality charter to ensure that CFLs meet customers’ expectations for high-quality lighting and long-term savings.