It is using a good deal of energy, much of it wasted. We can and should do better with all outdoor lighting. It is there for a reason, and we shouid use both energy efficient lighting sources and quality lighting design. The major types of lighting that we see used for outdoor lighting. They vary greatly in their energy efficiency.
Fluorescent lighting is used mostly for interior lighting, but more and more for outdoor lighting.
Quartz lighting is a type of incandescent lighting. Its light is orange or amber looking. It is the most energy efficient. 4 Data comparing the common 175 watt mercury vapor lamp with a 55 watt low pressure sodium lamp. The two have about the same amount of light output.