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Lighting for less |
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Get into the habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room.
Use compact fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs whenever you can. Compact fluorescents are 3-4 times more efficient than incandescents and last 10 times as long. Any light left on for over one hour per day is a good candidate for replacement with a compact flourescent.
Do not use halogen torchier type lamps. The 300 watt bulb is a big energy hog, three 23 watt compact flourescents will provide the same light output while using one-fifth of the energy.
Use one large light bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed. In general, the efficiency of incandescent light bulbs, as well as most light sources, increases as wattage increases. Thus, one 100-watt incandescent bulb provides approximately the same amount of light as two 60-watt bulbs or four 40-watt bulbs, but consumes less electricity.
Long-life incandescent light bulbs (which last from 1,500 to 3,500 hours) are less efficient than regular life incandescents because the filament is operated at a lower temperature to extend its life. Energy-conscious consumers should use long-life bulbs only where replacement is difficult, or should consider replacing or converting incandescent lights to fluorescent lights, which have a life of over 10,000 hours.
If you must use incandescent bulbs, purchase energy-saving types, sold under various names such as "Watt Miser," "Supersaver," and Econo-Watt" bulbs. They use 5-13 percent less energy than standard bulbs.
Select cold-start compact fluorescent, high-pressure sodium, or metal halide lights for outdoor lighting. If you leave lights on all night, use light-sensor controls that automatically turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. For even more energy savings install a motion sensor that will operate the lights at a lower setting until motion brings the lights to full intensity.
Replace light switches with motion or occupancy sensors. Good locations include the garage and exterior or security lighting areas.
Use task lighting when you need lighting in one small area and then reduce background or ambient light levels.
Select your lampshades with energy efficiency in mind because they can make a big difference. A lamp with a light-colored shade, especially one that's lined in white or highly transparent, will give the best light. Tall, narrow shades or short, dark-colored shades let through less light, which may force you to turn on another light for sufficient illumination.
When you decorate, think light colors. Dark colors absorb light, encouraging you to use more (or higher wattage) lights to light the room.
Use natural daylighting when possible and reduce or eliminate artificial lighting. Daylighting has been proven to have many benefits.
If you go away on vacation and leave your lights on for security reasons, use timers and set them to turn the lights off during the day. They'll give your house a more lived-in appearance, and you'll save energy.
When you use night-lights, select energy-conserving 4-watt bulbs. Or better yet, purchase the new green or blue-green light night lights with back light technology. These night-lights consume a mere 0.03 watts and cost only a few pennies a year to operate.
Use solar walkway and patio lights for outdoor accent lights. These are widely available and easy to install. You can install them yourself in a few minutes, since they don't require any wiring.
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About The Author:
Source
http://www.nps.gov/renew/hometips.htm |
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