Lighting is the easiest and quickest way to save energy in your home. New lighting technologies and controls are designed to deliver better light only when it is needed. Controlling your lighting inside and outside of your home can cut lighting energy use in the average home by 50% - 75%.
We will explore tips for savings on your indoor lighting and then outdoor lighting.
Indoor Lighting Energy Savings:
1. Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) should be used wherever possible in your home. Fluorescent lights last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, and are much more energy efficient. Many homeowners are unaware that CFLs are available for portable lighting, torchiere fixtures and recessed lighting. The recessed lighting may necessitate a change in the light fixture itself.
2. To keep lights turned off when rooms are not in use (a pet peeve of the heads of any growing family) install timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to shut lights off when no one is in the room.
3. Change your lighting pattern to become specific where you need the light. For instance, install a small fixture above your computer table rather than lighting the entire room that the computer table is in.
4. 3–way lamps make control of the amount of energy you need to use and let you “dim” the lights when bright light is not necessary.
5. Use natural light whenever possible during the day.
Outdoor Lighting Energy Savings:
1. Use exterior photocell and motion sensor lights. For the best result, combine the two so that lights will go on only when it is dark and someone is present.
2. Consider using solar powered photovoltaic exterior walkway lights.
3. CFLs are made for exterior fixtures as well, or consider high-density discharge (HID) or low-pressure sodium lights as alternatives to incandescent lighting.
Most of the above changes can be made by the average homeowner with some advanced planning and a trip to the hardware store. If you are unfamiliar with how to change light fixtures and install different kinds of lighting, please consult a licensed contractor for assistance. |
