Increasing your lighting efficiency is one of the fastest ways to decrease your energy bills. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs (light-emitting diodes) can last more than 25,000 hours, using 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. That’s about three years if left on for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Replacing 15 inefficient incandescent bulbs in your home with energy-saving bulbs could save you about $50 per year.
Indoor Lighting
- Replace old incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs, and consider purchasing ENERGY STAR-qualified fixtures
- Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it – For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops under cabinets
- Consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary
- Keep curtains or shades open to use daylighting instead of turning on lights – For more privacy, use light-colored, loose-weave curtains to allow daylight into the room
- Decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight
- For spot lighting, consider CFLs with reflectors – The lamps range in wattage from 13-watt to 32-watt and provide a very directed light using a reflector and lens system
Outdoor Lighting
Many homeowners use outdoor lighting for decoration and security. When shopping for outdoor lights, you will find a variety of products, from low-voltage pathway lighting to high-pressure sodium floodlights. Look for LED products such as pathway lights, step lights, and porch lights.