Lighting Tips
- Buy ENERGY STARŪ. If you are
thinking about purchasing new lighting fixtures or bulbs, look for
the ENERGY STARŪ label. Bulbs and fixtures bearing the ENERGY
STARŪ label are the most energy efficient models on the market
and will save energy, money, and help the environment.
- Consider compact Flourescent bulbs for areas where bright
lighting is not important, especially in outside fixtures.
Compact flourescent bulbs use one-third less power, and last five
times longer than incandescent bulbs.
- Turn off lights. This energy saving
measure has been around since Edison first turned a light on, and
it's as effective as ever. Keep in mind that a typical light bulb
kept on for 24 hours per day will cost you about $75.00 each year.
Try motion sensors that turn lights off automatically when everyone
leaves a room.
- Invest in a timer. Timers that
automatically turn lights on and off can reduce your energy use and
at the same time increase safety by making a house seem occupied even
when people are away.
- Keep fixtures and bulbs clean. Dirt,
along with being unsightly, can absorb as much as 50% of the light.
- Don't skimp on bulbs. Consider the cost
of lighting your home. Do you realize that the money you spend on
light bulbs is probably only 5-10% of the total cost? The other
90-95% is the cost of electricity to run those bulbs. That's why you
should look for more efficient rather than cheaper light bulbs, and
why compact fluorescent lights are so appealing.
- More bulbs are not better. Use one bulb
instead of multiple bulbs whenever possible. A single 100-watt
incandescent bulb produces the same amount of light as two 60-watt
bulbs, and it uses 20% less energy.
- Longer life bulbs can help. Do you have
light bulbs that are difficult to get to and a real pain to change?
Long-life incandescent bulbs last two to three times longer than a
standard bulb and compact fluorescent lamps last up to ten times
longer.
- Depends on the room. Light colored
walls and surfaces reflect light while dark colors absorb light. The
same light fixture in two different rooms will provide different
levels of light on a reading surface.
- Shades matter. Translucent lamp shades
provide more light to a room than solid colored shades.
- Avoid elaborate lighting schemes.
Instead of elaborate outside lighting, try accenting walkways and
drives. This will save energy and provide safe light for people
walking in hazardous winter conditions.
- Always pull on the plug. When
unplugging lights, always pull on the plug and not the cord. Over
time pulling on the cord will damage it and create a hazard.
- Replace halogens with fluorescents.
That halogen torchiere was cheap and attractive; but did you know you
could be spending 2-3 times the purchase price per year in
electricity costs. The lamps also have been shown to be fire hazards.
A compact fluorescent torchiere is safe, and can save over $30 per
year in electricity costs.
- Keep lights off during the day. Use
daylight whenever possible, rather than turning on redundant overhead
lighting.
