Researchers find smarter lighting could cut home energy use by 15%
Integrated design tools and efficient lighting systems reduce household energy use and enhance comfort, study finds.
University of East London
Households could cut lighting energy use by more than 15% without sacrificing comfort, according to new research from the University of East London (UEL), which shows how improved lighting design combined with modern LED technology can make homes cheaper to run and better to live in.
By optimising how lights are planned and positioned alongside the use of energy-efficient LED fittings, researchers found electricity use can be reduced while making rooms brighter and more comfortable.
The findings highlight the potential for better lighting design to support energy efficiency at scale, particularly in existing homes where simple upgrades could deliver meaningful reductions in energy use without major structural changes.
The research, led by Dr Jawed Qureshi, Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering and Design at UEL, examines how traditional lighting design compares with modern, software-based approaches used by professionals.
For decades, most homes have relied on simple layouts and manual calculations, often leading to uneven lighting, wasted energy and poorly lit spaces. This is particularly common in older UK housing, where outdated systems remain widespread.
A new approach is now emerging. Using specialist design software, lighting can be planned with far greater precision, adjusting the number, type and placement of lights to achieve the best balance between brightness and energy use.
The study looks at 20 typical one-bedroom flats, comparing existing lighting setups with redesigned layouts created using simulation tools and energy-efficient LED fittings. On average, energy use falls from 10.25 kWh to 8.68 kWh, a reduction of 15.3%. At the same time, brightness levels improve significantly, meaning spaces are not only more efficient but also better lit.
In most cases, the redesigned lighting both reduces energy consumption and brings rooms closer to recommended lighting standards used in the UK.
Dr Qureshi said: "Lighting in many homes is still based on outdated assumptions. What this research shows is that by combining smarter design with the right technology, we can reduce energy use and improve how spaces feel at the same time. It is not just about switching to LEDs. It is about using them intelligently."
While energy-efficient bulbs like LEDs are already widely available, the research highlights that technology alone is not enough. The biggest gains come from combining efficient lighting with better design.
By carefully positioning lights and choosing the right output for each room, the software-based approach avoids both over-lighting and dark spots, two common problems in manually designed systems.
The study also finds that improvements are not identical in every case. In a small number of scenarios, energy use increased rather than decreased where more lighting was needed to meet comfort standards, showing that the goal is balance rather than simply minimising power use.
Lighting accounts for a significant share of household electricity use, meaning even modest improvements can have a meaningful impact on energy bills and carbon emissions.
With much of the UK's housing stock ageing and in need of retrofit, the findings suggest that better lighting design can play a practical role in meeting net zero targets, without requiring major structural changes.
Dr Qureshi added: "This is a practical solution that can be applied to both new homes and existing properties. If we take a more thoughtful approach to lighting design, we can deliver energy savings, improve comfort and support wider sustainability goals all at once."
The research, led by Dr Jawed Qureshi and co-authored with Tharani Hemarathne, appears in Buildings journal.
Journal
Buildings
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Simulation-Based Visual-Comfort and Energy-Optimised Lighting Design for Residential Buildings: A Comparative Study of Manual and DIALux-Based Approaches
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