When it comes to “going green,” one of the first steps that many consumers take is changing out their light bulbs for more energy efficient options. It makes sense: eco-friendly fluorescent light bulbs often last longer and end up being less costly than their incandescent counterparts.

While every conscious effort makes a difference, however, the reality is that replacing the bulb in a lamp or two isn’t the key to preventing climate change or environmental damage.

But if architects, lighting designers and business owners take steps to implement cutting-edge lighting and electrical technologies into large-scale projects, a significant difference can be made. And this year, GE has embarked on the Lighting Revolution Tour with hopes of doing just that.

Recently, the Lighting Revolution truck camped out at the Omni Hotel at Eldridge and I-10, in the heart of Houston’s bustling Energy Corridor. The setup included demonstrations of various new technologies, some currently available and some still in development.

Most of the items on display could only be fully appreciated by someone truly knowledgeable about lighting, but members of the expert staff were still kind enough to give me a tour.

I was perhaps most impressed with GE’s efforts to develop new lighting management technologies in addition to new bulbs. For example, a new system of ultra-efficient fluorescent bulbs has been developed in conjunction with an automatic photo sensor that adjusts the light level based on the amount of natural light present in a room.

Some consumers find that fluorescent bulbs can make a room feel cold and industrial. However, GE has perfected the technology and created bulbs that don’t look excessively artificial. It’s no longer necessary to sacrifice aesthetics for eco-friendliness.

In addition to fluorescents, GE has been working to perfect LED light bulb technology. In recent years, GE has helped large corporations integrate LED and Fluorescent technologies into their operation. For example, the brand has developed lighting for WalMart’s parking lots and produce sections alike.

But even if you’re just looking to revamp the lighting in your residence, it’s important to consider eco-friendly options.