Energy-Efficient Lighting for Modern Living

Modern Canadian living is changing. Across Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and beyond, homeowners and renters are rethinking how their spaces function, not only for comfort and style but also for long-term sustainability. Canadians want to lower energy bills, reduce their environmental footprint, and still enjoy warm, beautiful homes. One of the simplest and most effective ways to achieve all three is with modern, energy-efficient lighting.

Lighting accounts for only about 3.5 percent of a home’s total energy use, but the right upgrades offer a disproportionately high return. LED lighting for homes, dimmer switches, and smart home lighting in Canada all help reduce unnecessary power consumption while improving ambiance, safety, and convenience. These upgrades also support Canada’s efforts to reach Net-Zero emissions by 2050.

Some rental home providers have made the switch to LED lighting to support
sustainability initiatives. Boardwalk is a prime example, investing in LED retrofits to
lower energy usage, improve long-term efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable
future for Residents and the wider community.

This guide will help you navigate the best lighting options for modern living, backed by real-world data, sustainability initiatives you can apply from Boardwalk, and curated product recommendations from The Lighting Shoppe.

LED Lighting: Bright Ideas with Big Savings

LEDs are the backbone of sustainable lighting solutions. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy and last 15 to 25 times longer. ENERGY STAR-certified LEDs are tested for brightness consistency, longevity, and colour accuracy. This means better quality light, fewer replacements, and lower energy bills. 

A single 9W LED that replaces a 60W incandescent bulb can save around $80 over its lifespan. When an entire home upgrades to LEDs, annual savings typically range from $150 to $250. LEDs also emit far less heat, which reduces strain on air conditioning systems during the summer months.

Choosing the right colour temperature makes an even bigger difference:

• 2700K to 3000K (Soft White): Warm, relaxing, ideal for living rooms and bedrooms
• 3500K to 4000K (Neutral White): Balanced, ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and offices
• 5000K (Daylight): Crisp and bright, useful for task lighting and workshops

These versatile options make LED lighting for homes comfortable, customizable, and efficient.

One of TLS’s best-selling LED solutions is the DALS 4" Selectable CCT Dimmable LED Recessed Light, offering multiple colour temperatures, dimmable performance, and energy efficiency.

Explore our full LED Lighting Collection

Smart Lighting: Efficient, Automated, Intelligent

Smart lighting for energy savings takes efficiency even further. Smart bulbs, smart switches, and smart plugs allow you to automate schedules, dim lights, control brightness from your phone, create scenes, or integrate with motion sensors.

Networked smart lighting systems can reduce lighting energy use by 20 to 30 percent. Even something simple like scheduling ten lights to turn off one hour earlier every night saves more than 36 kWh annually.

Smart home lighting in Canada is experiencing rapid growth, with more than 2.6 million Canadian homes utilizing smart lighting or comfort devices as of 2023. This number is projected to reach 7.5 million by 2028.

Smart lighting also improves comfort:

• Dim bedroom lights in the evening to support relaxation
• Use bright white light during daytime work hours
• Automate entryway lighting for safety
• Use colour scenes for ambiance at night

A top TLS product is the DALS Connect Smart LED A19 Bulb, which offers full app control, dimming, scheduling, and colour selection.

Browse our Smart Lighting Collection

Dimmer Switches: Precision, Comfort, and Control

Dimmer switches enable you to fine-tune your home’s lighting levels, reduce energy consumption, and prolong bulb life. Dimming lights by 50% can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%. Modern dimmers are specifically designed for LEDs, so they dim smoothly without flicker.

They also support human-centric lighting by lowering brightness in the evenings, which promotes relaxation and reduces eye strain.

You can choose from:

• Tap-style dimmers: Light, modern, and work well with décor-focused spaces
• Rotary dimmers: Classic and easy to use
• Smart dimmers: App-controlled and fully automated

The Legrand Radiant LED Dimmer is a TLS customer favourite, offering smooth LED compatibility at an affordable price.

Shop dimmer switches

How Lighting Behaviour Affects Energy Use

Energy-efficient products work best when paired with energy-smart habits. Lighting behaviour plays a major role in reducing energy consumption.

• Use task lighting instead of overhead lighting for reading or cooking
• Rely on natural light during the daytime
• Turn the lights off when leaving a room
• Use dimmers instead of 100 percent brightness
• Automate lighting schedules to prevent wasted energy

Small behavioural improvements, repeated daily, multiply over time. When paired with modern LEDs and smart lighting, these habits deliver the highest energy savings and the strongest environmental impact.

The Environmental Impact of Energy-Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting does more than reduce your electricity bill. It also reduces environmental impact in several ways:

• LEDs produce far less landfill waste due to their long lifespan
• Lower electricity consumption reduces strain on the grid
• Less heat output reduces summer cooling needs
• Fewer replacements mean fewer bulbs manufactured and transported

If every Canadian home replaced just one 60W incandescent bulb with an LED, the country could save hundreds of gigawatt-hours annually. Sustainable lighting contributes directly to Canada’s Net-Zero 2050 plan.

Boardwalk: Sustainability at Scale

Boardwalk, one of Canada’s largest rental home providers, has embraced energy-efficient lighting across thousands of suites and common areas. Their upgrades include LED retrofits, motion sensors, and photocell-controlled outdoor lights.

Results include:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Lower energy intensity across buildings
• Better Resident comfort and safety
• Over 50% reduction in common area lighting costs in some buildings

Boardwalk’s sustainability initiatives prove that large-scale lighting modernization is both practical and impactful for Canadian communities.

Featured Energy-Saving Products From TLS

These recommended products are top-rated, energy-efficient, and perfect for modern homes:

• DALS 4" Selectable CCT Dimmable LED Pot Light: Energy-efficient, dimmable, and perfect for kitchens and living rooms.
• Craftmade Dimmable LED Light Bulb: Full smart control with app dimming, colour change, and scheduling.
• Legrand LED Dimmer: Smooth LED dimming performance and modern paddle design.
• Mongolana LED Floor Lamp in Black: A stylish modern floor lamp with energy-efficient LED illumination.

Quick Start: Your Energy-Efficient Lighting Checklist

• Replace the top five bulbs with LEDs
• Install dimmers in the main living areas
• Use smart plugs or smart bulbs for automation
• Install motion sensors in low-traffic spaces
• Use 2700K to 3000K LEDs for comfort
• Open blinds during the day to maximize natural light

FAQ: Energy-Efficient Lighting in Canadian Homes

How much electricity can I save with LED lighting?
LEDs save up to 90 percent of energy and can cut annual lighting costs by $50 to $250, depending on the home.

Are smart lights worth it?
Yes. Smart systems reduce lighting waste, automate schedules, and improve energy efficiency by 20 to 30 percent.

What is the best colour temperature?
2700K to 3000K for cozy rooms, 3500K to 4000K for tasks, and 5000K for high-clarity workspaces.

Do dimmers save electricity?
Yes. Dimmers reduce wattage draw and extend bulb life, especially with LEDs.

Can renters upgrade their lighting?
Yes. Smart bulbs, floor lamps, LED strips, and plug-in dimmers require no hardwiring and can move with you.

About The Lighting Shoppe

The Lighting Shoppe is a proudly Canadian lighting retailer specializing in modern, energy-efficient lighting for homes. With curated collections of LED fixtures, smart lighting, dimmers, and decorative pieces, we help Canadians light better, live brighter, and reduce energy use in style.

Whether you are refreshing a single room or giving your entire home an efficiency upgrade, our team is here to help you find the right lighting for modern living.