Lighting

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. This is why choosing the right design and placement is just as important as style.

Elegant and functional wall lights can provide targeted illumination where it’s needed most, reducing the need for multiple overhead fixtures and allowing you to create cozy, well-lit spaces without excessive energy use. By incorporating these strategically around hallways, living areas, and bedrooms, you not only enhance the ambiance but also manage consumption more effectively.

To further save on your bill, consider using dimmers, switching to LED bulbs, and turning off lights when not in use—small steps that make a big difference over time.

• 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 natural light. While open blinds and curtains work wonders during the day, at night, you might crave a bit more privacy and ambiance. This is where curtains come into play. By choosing the right fabric and design, you can seamlessly blend style with function, making your home feel cozy and comfortable no matter the time of day. For those evenings when you want to block out the light entirely or simply want a more restful sleep, room-darkening curtains are the perfect solution. These curtains offer a thicker fabric or special lining that helps keep the light at bay, creating a peaceful, darker environment.
• Dim the lights:  Consider purchasing dimmer switches. They can increase bulb life while reducing electric consumption and operating cost. But don’t use them with compact fluorescent bulbs because they’re not compatible.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs:  Compared to regular light bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy and last ten times longer. Although they cost more, they are worth the investment.
• 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 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 our 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. Pairing light-colored interiors with efficient lighting is a smart move, especially if you’re looking to maximize brightness without ramping up your energy bill. This not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also keeps your electricity consumption in check.
• 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 less light through. 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, because dirt and dust absorb light.
• Consider low-voltage outdoor lighting:  If you’re planning to light up your landscaping, install low voltage lighting whenever possible. A string of 6 low voltage lights, which can light a large area, 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.
• Use only what you need:  Do you ever go into a room and turn on all the lights? Or leave landscaping lighting on all night? Inside and outside, use only as much light as you need.