Durham Gets All LED Habitat House

An energy-thrifty Habitat for Humanity home being built in Durham, N.C. showcases LED lighting and promises to save its new owners $250 per year or more in electricity.

The home, which should be completed in October of this year, will have mostly LED lighting fixtures, making it far more efficient than homes relying on incandescent or even compact fluorescent bulbs and thereby, saving the Rahlan-Ksor family real money when they move in.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as an example, has predicted that widespread LED use in general household lighting might save 1,500 terawatts of power – enough to light some 95 million homes – over just two decades. In terms of dollars, the adoption of LED-based fixtures could save Americans $120 billion by 2030.

Closer to home, so to speak, the idea of saving money, even just $250 per year, becomes even more salient when one considers that Habitat for Humanity builds homes for motivated but low-income residents. This means that the Rahlan-Kohr’s annual savings may be a significant help.

The Habitat for Humanity Ministry

Habitat for Humanity International is a not-for-profit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry devoted to providing simple, decent, and affordable housing to anyone that lacks adequate shelter, regardless of location, ethnicity, or religion.

The organization, whose volunteers include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, selects homeowners based on their willingness to work, ability to pay a basic mortgage, and most of all, their need. Once a homeowner is selected, the organization works locally to spur volunteer help (and expert supervision) for the building project and whenever possible, uses contributed building supplies to help mitigate the cost of construction.

Cree Donated the Lighting, Provided Volunteers

Cree, which is based in Durham, provided all of the light fixtures for the Rahlan-Ksor’s home as part of a $1.5 million, three-year pledge the company made to Habitat for Humanity in May 2010. Many of the company’s employees also volunteered on site at the home, pouring concrete, building walls, and helping with the LED fixtures.

"By providing cost-saving, energy-efficient lighting, Cree is helping Habitat build sustainable, affordable homes in partnership with thousands of low-income families across the United States," said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO when the pledge was first announced. "Future Habitat homeowners can enjoy lower electricity costs and most likely, won’t have to change their light bulbs for the next two decades."

"We are delighted that Cree is partnering with Habitat affiliates to provide lighting products that enable more energy-efficient homes," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International in an official statement. "Products and materials that reduce energy costs make homes even more affordable for Habitat partner families and also help to protect the environment. This is going to make a huge impact in helping us develop sustainable communities."

"We thank Cree for not only providing beautiful lighting but for helping our homeowners save money on their electric bill," said Miguel Rubiera, the executive director for Habitat’s Durham affiliate