We’re all grateful to Thomas Edison for the light bulb. However, despite the many advances in lighting technology since Edison’s time, electric lighting remains a large user of electricity, typically accounting for 11% of your home’s energy bill. So “lightening” your energy load can mean big savings.

Reducing your lighting expense is easier than you think. For example, you can:

• Turn off lights when not in use. It’s free to do and can mean noticeable savings in your energy bill.
• Replace your standard incandescent lights with ENERGY STAR^®-labeled compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL could save you up to $30 over the life of the bulb, and give you the same or more light output.
• CFLs have come a long way since their inception and now are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and softness of light.
• Replacing the five incandescent light bulbs you use most with ENERGY STAR-labeled CFLs could save you, on average, $60 a year in energy costs.
• Install dimmer switches on lights throughout your home. Dimmers can reduce energy costs and produce a more pleasant light for most occasions. Not all CFL bulbs are compatible with dimmer switches, so check before you purchase.
• If you have outdoor security lighting, install motion sensors that turn lighting on only when movement is detected.
• Install low-cost occupancy sensors that automatically turn off the lights when you leave a room. Occupancy sensors typically range in cost from $25 to $75 and can be purchased from your local hardware or home improvement store.
• Floor lamps that use halogen bulbs are some of the biggest energy users in the home. Replace them with ENERGY STAR-labeled floor lamps for rapid energy savings.
• Use natural light to illuminate your room. You probably don’t need the lamp on if the sun is shining.