Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Lighting uses about 10 percent of the total energy consumed in a home so it is always questioned how one can reduce that energy consumption. Using less energy greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves the air quality of the environment. Here are some ideas to help you reduce your energy costs and intake:
• Energy efficient bulbs like LEDs, CFLs and fluorescents are the best way to reduce your energy costs. Using them all throughout your home will be beneficial not only to your wallet but also the environment. Energy efficient bulbs like these produce considerably more light and last much longer than the typical incandescent bulbs. Anything that is an ENERGY STAR product or ENERGY STAR qualified lighting will help in your strive for energy efficiency. Fun Fact: According to epa.gov, if every American home swapped their five most used light fixtures or bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR we would save about $8 billion each year in energy costs.
• If you don’t want to go in the LED bulb direction, use more efficient PAR bulbs, especially with task and accent lighting; a 50-watt PAR30 bulb produces about three times more light than 1 65-watt BR30 bulb.
• Keep light bulbs and fixtures clean because it is known that dirt absorbs light, a clean bulb produces more light than a dusty or dirty one.
• Use dimmers with photoelectric lighting controls, such as motion or occupancy sensors or timers to routinely turn off your lights. The dimmers can be used throughout your home and the timers would be a good idea for your outdoor lighting when the sun rises.