Nine Ways the Right Lighting Can Save Energy

Lighting is something most of us do not think about. However, it is an essential part of our everyday lives. Since we do not often think about lighting, we may make the wrong choices when it comes to illumination. However, that can cost untold amounts of energy. Following are ten ways the right lighting can save energy.

 

1. Electricity usage

 

According to Westinghouse, commercial industries use about 38% of their electricity for lighting. The average household uses 25% of their electricity for the same purpose. These are significant percentages. Often the lighting for both industries and houses is supplied by energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs that can elevate electric bills exponentially. Changing to more efficient bulbs, such as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants resulting in saved energy and money.

 

2. Longer-lasting

 

Energy-efficient lighting choices last a significantly longer time than traditional incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs burn a lot of energy when they are in use, which contributes to their short life span. Energy-efficient lights emit the same amount of light but require a significantly lower amount of energy to use, which allows the bulbs to be last a much longer time.

 

3. Energy-efficient lighting emits less heat

 

Traditional lighting sources emit a lot of heat while they are in use. This heat ends up being nothing more than wasted energy since it has no purpose. Often incandescent bulbs emit so much heat that they can burn objects that are too close to them. On the other hand, energy-efficient bulbs burn at a much cooler temperature and do not emit the same amount of heat. As a result, less energy is wasted unnecessarily.

 

4. Energy-efficient lighting is more efficient

 

LED lights use a fraction of the wattage that traditional incandescent lights do. For example, LEDs only use 2-17 watts of electricity, a significantly lower number than traditional incandescent lights. Further, LED bulb use in the home saves electricity and saves money on replacement costs.

 

5. Energy-efficient lighting reduces air and water pollution

 

CFLs greatly reduce the emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In fact, the use of just one CFL will eliminate over one-half ton of carbon dioxide over the life of the bulb. The more people who switch over to CFLs in their homes, the better it is for the environment. If every household used energy-efficient lighting, enough energy could be saved to shut down 90 average-sized power plants. With so much less energy being produced, air and water health would surge, benefiting everyone on the planet.

 

6. Outdoor lighting

 

When energy-efficient light bulbs are used for outdoor purposes, it helps to save energy costs and electricity expenditure for a household. Outdoor lighting options include CFL and LED pathway lights and flood lights. Do not forget to consider using nature’s lighting mechanism as well. There are many outdoor lighting options that are solar-powered. Using solar energy rather than electricity is a great way to save energy output and costs.

 

7. Retrofitting new options

 

Unless a house is only a few years old, most of the lighting in the house is designed to handle traditional lighting sources. Retrofitting some of the existing light fixtures to make them more ecologically friendly and energy-efficient is a simple way to save on the energy usage of the house.

 

8. Purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified fixtures

 

Whenever you are purchasing an appliance or lighting fixture, look for the ENERGY STAR label. The ENERGY STAR qualification indicates that the product is guaranteed to be energy efficient and will save consumers money on their utility bills. There is a wide range of ENERGY STAR fixtures to choose from, so homeowners should easily be able to find a style that suits their tastes.

 

9. Motion Sensors and timers

 

Installing motion sensor and timers is another great way to save energy. These controls automatically turn lights off when they are not in use. It is a great way to assure energy is not being wasted when lights are not in use. Although it may seem like a little step like this one is inconsequential, the small steps add up to significant energy savings over time.

 

Choosing the right lighting source is beneficial for a multitude of reasons. Saving energy in your home or business not only saves you money, but it also helps the environment around you as well as the entire planet. There is an increasing number of energy-efficient lighting choices that are available to fit any type of illumination need you have around your house of office. Making the right choices now, will reap many benefits in the future. If you need help determining the right lighting choices for your needs, consult with a local energy audit company to learn more.

 

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