A single light doesn't use a whole lot of
energy. But when you add up all the lights in your home, and think about how
long they are usually on during the month, it can really add up. In fact,
lighting is about 12% of your monthly bill.
Let The Sun Shine In
Why use the lights when you can use the sun? Open blinds
and curtains during the day to take advantage of nature's light.
Dim The Lights
Consider purchasing solid-state dimmer switches. They can
increase bulb life while reducing electric consumption and cost. But don't use
them with compact fluorescent bulbs because they're not compatible. Replace
Incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Compared to regular light
bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy and last ten times longer.
Motion Sensors Make Sense
Are you tired of asking everyone to turn off the lights
when they leave the room? If so, try replacing light switches with motion or
occupancy sensors. These make the lights go on or off when someone enters or
leaves the room. The garage is the perfect place for one. They're also good for
exterior lighting. Your lights will only come on when motion is detected.
Let Timers Take On The Task
If you forget to turn off lights, think about buying a
timer. It turns lights on and off automatically, and helps your day-to-day home
security, too. Best of all, you can set it and forget it.
Save Watts Wherever You Can
Use watt-saving bulbs in incandescent and fluorescent
fixtures. They give off the same amount of light as regular bulbs, but use 10%
less energy. Just remember, the higher the wattage, the more it costs to have
your lights on.
Try Photocells
Photocells automatically turn on your lights when it gets
dark. Then, when it's bright enough, the photocell turns the lights off.
They're great for outdoor or security lighting because you don't have to
remember to turn them off in the morning. The sunlight will do it for you.
Decorate In Light Colors
If you plan to redecorate, think about lighter colors. Dark
colors absorb light, so you'll use more watts to light the room.
Let The Light Through
Lamp shades can make a big difference. A lamp with a light
colored shade, especially one that's lined in white, will give the best light.
Tall, narrow shades or short, dark-colored shades let through less light.
You'll probably need to turn on another light to see properly, which means
you'll use more electricity.
Keep Them Clean
Dirty or dusty light bulbs don't put out as much light as
clean bulbs. That's because dirt and dust absorb light.
Consider Low Voltage Lighting For The Outdoors
If you're planning to light up your landscaping, install
low voltage lighting whenever possible. A string of six low voltage lights uses
about 108 watts, compared to a single 150 watt flood light.
Plan For That Vacation
If you're going away, you'll probably want to leave some
lights on for security reasons. If so, consider buying timers to turn your
lights on and off instead of leaving them on 24 hours-a-day. The money you save
on lighting could easily pay for the timers.
Decorate In Light Colors
If you plan to redecorate, think about lighter colors. Dark
colors absorb light, so you'll use more watts to light the room.
Let The Light Through
Lamp shades can make a big difference. A lamp with a light
colored shade, especially one that's lined in white, will give the best light.
Tall, narrow shades or short, dark-colored shades let through less light.
You'll probably need to turn on another light to see properly, which means
you'll use more electricity.
