Did You Know...


Using electric lighting controls properly not only saves energy, it can extend the life of lamps and ballasts, too.
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Lighting
Best Practices for Increasing Lighting Efficiency

To increase the energy efficiency of lighting in your home, consider taking the following actions:

  • Replace the lighting fixtures you use most -- or the light bulbs in them -- with energy-efficient models. The five highest-use fixtures in a home are typically the kitchen ceiling light, living room table and floor lamps, bathroom vanity and outdoor porch or post lamp. ENERGY STAR®-qualified Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) can be used to replace many of the light bulbs in these fixtures.

ENERGY STAR®-qualified fixtures are available in hundreds of popular styles, including portable fixtures such as table, desk, floor and torchiere lamps, and hard-wired fixtures such as outdoor, cabinet, suspended, ceiling-mount, recessed, wall-mount models and ceiling fans.

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs has several benefits. First, ENERGY STAR®-qualified CFLs use much less energy than standard lighting -- about two-thirds less. So using CFLs can help lower your electric bills.

 

ENERGY STAR®-qualified CFLs also last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. With regular use (for example, four hours per day), you won't need to change the bulb for at least seven years.

 

In addition, fixtures that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label are flicker free, emit no hum, start instantly and come with a two-year warranty, which is double the industry standard. ENERGY STAR®-qualified lighting fixtures also meet strict EPA criteria for light output per watt and color quality of the light. And they generate about 70 percent less heat than standard incandescent lighting, which means they are cool to the touch, keep your home more comfortable and help reduce home cooling costs.

  • Use lighting controls. Most people know that you can save energy by turning off lights when they're not needed. But sometimes we forget or don't notice that we've left lights on. You can reduce lighting energy use installing lighting controls. Lighting controls can be used to automatically turn lights on and off as needed, preventing energy waste.

The most common types of lighting controls are occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, timers and dimmers.

    • Occupancy sensors: Detect either heat (infrared) or sound (ultrasonic), turning on lights only when the area is occupied. Occupancy sensors can be installed in areas where lights are routinely left on when no one is around -- basements, storage rooms and outdoor lighting are prime examples. In areas that are unoccupied for long periods of time, energy savings can be as high as 50%.

    • Daylight sensors: Detect the presence of sunlight, turning off lighting when outdoor light is present. These sensors are primarily used for exterior lighting or for interior spaces that have abundant natural light. They help ensure that exterior lighting is not accidentally left on during the day when lighting is not needed. Daylight sensors should be located in non-shaded areas and placed facing south.

    • Timers: Turn lighting on and off according to a preset time schedule. Timers are primarily used for exterior lighting, turning lights on at night then off in the morning. They also can be used for security lighting to turn interior lights on and off when you're on vacation. This is more energy efficient than leaving lights on continuously while you're gone.

    • Dimmers: Allow you to adjust the amount of light your lighting fixtures put out. Dimmers not only save energy but allow you to change lighting levels and adjust a room's ambiance. Not all light fixtures are compatible with dimmer switches, so check before you purchase.