NEEA’s launched its first residential lighting market initiatives in 1997 to accelerate the awareness and use of high-efficiency compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and fluorescent light fixtures among residential customers. The program was designed to address market barriers including high first cost; lack of product availability; lack of consumer awareness; incompatibility of CFLs with existing fixtures, dimmers, timers and photocells; performance problems; unattractiveness of energy-efficient lighting products; and consumer fear of fluorescent technologies. The programs provided financial incentives to manufacturers to increase product availability and reduce product price. Other program components included retailer education and marketing, promotions, mass advertising, and branding.
