Decline in Energy-Saving Light Use in Thunder Bay

New data from Statistics Canada reveals that the adoption of energy-efficient light bulbs has decreased over recent years.

The statistics, which monitor household lighting usage from 2017 to 2023, indicate that Thunder Bay is still keeping pace with or surpassing the national average for energy-saving lights. However, the overall trend shows a slow decline.

In 2017, 93 per cent of households in Thunder Bay reported using at least one type of energy-efficient light bulb. By 2023, this number dropped to 85 per cent. Across Canada, a similar trend was observed, falling from 90 per cent to 84 per cent during the same timeframe.

The most significant change comes from compact fluorescent lights, known as CFLs, which have increasingly fallen out of favor. In Thunder Bay, CFL usage plummeted from 67 per cent in 2017 to just 44 per cent by 2023. Nationally, CFL use declined from 55 per cent to only 30 per cent.

On the other hand, LED lights-excluding festive decorations-have remained consistently popular. In Thunder Bay, LED usage stabilized around the mid-50 percent range and was approximately 51 percent between 2021 and 2023. Nationally, LED utilization varied between 50 and 53 percent before slightly dropping to about 48 percent in 2023.

Statistics Canada data related to the use of energy-saving lights from the 2023 Households and the Environment Survey. (Statistics Canada)

Expert Opinions

Graham Saunders, president of Environment North, notes that local trends reflect broader patterns seen 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 suggests that fewer households using at least one energy-saving light might indicate 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 also mentions concerns regarding disposal may be contributing factors.

“Maybe some of the issues about recycling and mercury have put some people off,” Saunders said.

Saunders also teaches meteorology and climate-related courses at Lakehead University. (Environment North)

Ali Zad, a registered energy advisor with Green Superior, says these statistics align with what he observes while working on 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 incandescent light bulbs,” he said.

Basing his views on experience, Zad believes lack of awareness is still a significant barrier.

“They are not informed about the energy efficiency of the light bulbs or different generations available,” he said. “They don’t know if they replace their incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient ones; they can cut their energy consumption by up to 90 percent.”

Zad emphasizes that northern Ontario needs more provincial and federal support since harsh weather increases overall energy consumption.

“We definitely need more programs here given our climate conditions,” Zad urged.

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Paul Berger, an associate professor at Lakehead University who specializes in climate change education expressed surprise at these figures.

“At this point in 2025,” we should have a lot more than 55 or 51 percent of people saying they’re using LED light bulbs,” he explained. “My guess is that some people are buying light bulbs and just not even knowing what kind they’re getting.”

Bergersaid price isn’t really holding people back anymore.

“The difference is sometimes just one or two dollars for each,” Zad remarked.Saunders agreed cost might influence choices but suggests other priorities may currently take precedence.

“I think maybe focus has shifted towards larger methods for reducing electricity use like solar panels or batteries where there are still incentives available,” Saunders said.

The Province’s Reaction

A spokesperson for Ontario Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce stated via email to that initiatives promoting energy savings are expanding.

“With electricity demand rising keeping more money within families’ budgets has never been so crucial,” Lecce mentioned in a statement.”Our recent expansion includes making appliances more efficient saving families cash while already saving our province over220 megawatts-a figure equivalentto removing220000 homesfromour grid.”Stephen Lecceis Ontario’s current ministerof Energyand Mines. Lecce servedasthe Ontario Ministerof Educationfrom2019to2024.(CBC)

Saunders noted while efficient lighting alone won’t dictate climate outcomes, it still holds significance.

Berger asserted those small actions like utilizingenergy-saving lightscarry symbolicweightinlargerenvironmentalissues.

“If people don’t understand why it’s important then they’re unlikelyto encourage politicians todo what’s necessary either.” Berger pointed out.

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