Energy Saving Lighting Tips

We use lights for sight, decoration and security. Here are some tips for saving money and electricity in home lighting.

Fluorescent lighting is more economical than incandescent lighting. Fluorescent lamps produce up to five times as much light for the same energy and last 10 to 15 times longer. Larger-wattage bulbs are generally more efficient and produce more lumens per watt-hour than smaller-wattage bulbs. You should select fluorescent lamps for use in kitchens, baths, workshops and laundry rooms.

When lamps and fixtures have two or more sockets for incandescent light bulbs, consider using single, larger-wattage bulbs rather than filling all the sockets with smaller-wattage bulbs.

Wattage does not measure the amount of light - it measures the energy needed to light the bulb. The amount of light is measured in lumens. Carefully study bulb packages to get the most for your wattage.

Example: Larger-wattage bulbs are generally more efficient and produce more lumens per watt than smaller bulbs. It generally requires six 25-watt bulbs to give the same amount of light as only one 100 watt-bulb.

Check the rating of all light bulbs and compare this with the requirements for the light service they are providing. In many cases, a lower-wattage bulb can be substituted for the one now being used.

"Long-life" bulbs emit less lumens than a standard incandescent bulb of the same wattage. Use them only where long-life features need to be used, such as in places that are hard to reach.

When buying new lamps consider those with three-way switches. Then use the lower settings whenever possible like when watching television.

It is not true that there is a surge of power when a bulb is turned on. Therefore, it is not better to leave a light on rather than turn it on and off several times!

A bulb that is turned on for only one second uses only one second's worth of energy. We save energy and money by turning lights off when we leave a room even if we will return in a few minutes. Urge your family to turn off lights when leaving a room.

Some areas, such as family recreation rooms, require high-level lighting only part of the time. Energy can be saved by installing fixtures on two or three circuits so that the level of illumination can be controlled. Lamps that use three-way bulbs can provide the same function.

Some work and leisure activities can be carried on without illuminating entire rooms if proper lighting is installed (like over desks, tool benches, serving tables, etc.).