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Household lighting tips - Save Energy And Save Money
Buy ENERGY STAR. Energy
Star qualified lighting provides bright, warm light while it requires
2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generates 70% less heat, and
lasts up to 10 times longer. The 5 highest use fixtures in a home are
typically the kitchen ceiling light, the living room table and floor
lamps, bathroom vanity, and outdoor porch or post lamp
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Let the Sunshine In: Nothing's
nicer than natural light, and in terms of energy use, nothing's more
efficient . Open drapes and blinds during the day for the best light
you cant pay for.
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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. Keep lights off during the day. Use daylight whenever
possible, rather than turning on redundant overhead lighting.
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Use task lighting: Instead
of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it.
Three-way lamps make it easier to keep lighting levels low when
brighter light is not necessary
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Change a light: ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures and bulbs use 2/3 less energy than traditional lighting and last up to 10 times longer.
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Don't skimp on bulbs: The
cost of electricity is higher than you think. That's why you should
look for more efficient rather than cheaper light bulbs, and why
compact fluorescent lights are so appealing. Compact fluorescent light
bulbs (CFL), use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and
last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs. Replacing a 100-watt
incandescent with a 32-watt CFL can save you at least $30 in energy
costs over the life of the bulb, according to the Federal Energy Star
program.
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Use One Bulb: 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.
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Longer life bulbs: can
help. Long-life incandescent bulbs last two to three times longer than
a standard bulb and compact fluorescent lamps last up to ten times
longer.
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Always pull on the plug: When unplugging lights, always pull on the plug and not the cord, pulling on the cord will damage it and create a hazard.
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Replace halogens with fluorescents:
That halogen touchier has been shown to be fire hazards. Did you know
you could be spending 2-3 times the purchase price per year in
electricity costs. A compact fluorescent touchier is safe, and can save
over $30 per year in electricity costs.
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Use Tube Fluorescent Lighting: They
can provide very satisfactory (and energy-efficient) recessed lighting
around the perimeter of a living room, or overhead lighting in kitchens
and bathrooms.
Outdoor Lighting Tips
- Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a timer so they will turn off during the day.
- Turn
off decorative outdoor gas lamps; just eight gas lamps burning year
round use as much natural gas as it takes to heat an average-size home
during an entire winter.
- Exterior
lighting is one of the best places to use CFLs because of their long
life. If you live in a cold climate, be sure to buy a lamp with a
cold-weather ballast.
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