Modern Lighting Choices That Save You Money
Part 1
The average home in the country spends about 5% of its energy budget on lighting. Modern lighting choices let you light your home using the same amount of light for less money. Energy-efficient lighting is the fastest way to cut down on your energy bills. If you replace 5 of the most frequently used lighting fixtures in your home with Energy Star bulbs, you can expect to save at least $45 per year on your energy bills. Modern lighting standards took effect in 2012, and money-saving lighting options such as LED lightbulbs, CFL, and halogen incandescent light fixtures are available today. For lightbulbs with the greatest energy-saving potential, you should opt for bulbs with Energy Star status.
What Is The Difference With New Lightbulbs?
The traditional incandescent bulbs are no longer manufactured since they use a lot of energy to produce light. In fact, 90% of the energy in these bulbs is given off as heat, and the lost energy is money we are literally throwing away. The latest energy-saving lightbulbs come in a wide variety of color choices and light levels to choose from. They are much more efficient and help save your money in the long run.
What Are My Lighting Choices?
You have so many options to choose from when it comes to energy-efficient lighting. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and halogen incandescents are some of today’s most popular choices. These bulbs may initially cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they will save you money during your lifetime. They use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. You can easily purchase these lightbulbs from home improvement stores and most hardware in the area.
Timers and photocells help save electricity by turning the lights off when not in use. On the other hand, dimmers are popular to save electricity by lowering the light levels. You should always opt for light fixtures that are energy-efficient and long-lasting. If your outdoor lighting is left on for a long time, LEDs and CFLs fixtures will help save a lot of energy. Bare spiral CFLs are commonly used in enclosed fixtures to protect them from harsh weather conditions. LEDs and CFLs are also available as floodlights. These models are tested to withstand the snow and rain so that they can be used in exposed areas. Always opt for Energy Star qualified fixtures for outdoor use. These models come with features like motion sensors and automatic daylight shut-off.
Halogen Incandescents
These light fixtures have a capsule inside to hold gas around a filament to increase the efficiency of the bulb. Halogen incandescents come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, and they can be used with dimmers. These bulbs meet the federal minimum energy efficiency standard.
If you need help with your lighting system, don’t hesitate to contact us or call us today! Visit our blog for more related articles. Click here for the second issue of this article.