Guide – Energy Efficient Lighting

Home lighting is often overlooked as a energy waster. While it is fantastic to have a well-lit, inviting home, it is even better to have a well-lit, inviting and energy efficient home. 

In this article guide we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about energy efficient lighting. By the time you’ve read through it all, if you follow our advice, you’ll find yourself with a great looking lighting set up and you’ll be saving money at the same time. 

Read on if you’re interested in conserving energy and saving some money!

Why Should You Look into Energy Efficient Lighting?

Believe it or not, your lighting usually makes up approximately 15-20% of your total electric bill. Most of the other electric appliances you have in your home on average cost less to run. 

Depending on what type of bulbs you use, how many lights you have in and around your home, and how often you leave them on, your energy consumption could be quite high. However, it isn’t as difficult as you might think to limit the amount of electricity you consume in a day by slightly adjusting these factors.

Best Energy Efficient Lightbulb Options

The two best types of lightbulb where energy efficiency is concerned are Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Both of these bulbs are cost efficient and energy efficient. 

For example, if you use a traditional bulb and an LED bulb for the same amount of time and with the same wattage, the LED bulb will consume less energy while producing the same level of brightness as the other bulb. A similar effect will occur when using a CFL with a traditional bulb.

It may cost you slightly more to purchase these bulbs initially instead of the more typical ones, however, you will realise that they help you to conserve energy, and therefore money, over the months that you use them. So, in the long run, these bulbs are cheaper than traditional bulbs.

Further Tips for Saving Energy

Turn Off the Lights Every Time You are the Last to Leave a Room

Has anyone ever told you that switching a light on and off costs more than just leaving it on? Well, there is only a small element of truth in that statement. However, flicking a switch on and off takes up about four to five seconds worth of energy. So, unless you plan to return within five seconds, you conserve more energy by switching the light off. 

We would like to point out that flicking a switch on and off multiple times is also a waste of energy. Not only does doing so cost you electricity, but it also weakens the lightbulb over time. So, while you should turn off lights that you aren’t using, don’t flick a switch on and off more than once in a few seconds.

Consider the Number of Active Lights You Really Need

Just because you’re in a room with four or five different lights doesn’t mean that all of them need to be on at once. If you’re the only person in the room, a single light may be enough to support your needs.

When you enter a room and flick on the first light, consider what you will be doing and whether anyone else will be in there with you. Obviously, it is perfectly fine to use multiple lights, especially when you have guests over. However, there are times when using just one or two lights is more than enough to light up the area in which you plan to spend your time. 

Strategically Place Your Light Switches

If you place your light switches in a logical manner, you will be better able to control the use of your lighting. For example, if you have a light switch at either end of your staircase, you can switch it on and off regardless of which side you’re coming from. 

Another example could be a small room containing one main light with two possible entryways. Instead of needing to go to one door, switch off the light and fumble about in the dark for the other door, you can easily switch off the light from either one. 

Make Use of Motion Sensor Lights and Timers for Outdoor Lighting

Motion sensor lights and timers are a fantastic means by which you can save energy and money without lifting a finger. With motion sensor lights, the energy cost is very low when the light is inactive. There is a small cost for the sensor to be able to scan even while the lightbulb is off, but it is far less than the cost of powering your outdoor lighting all night long. 

You can also use a timer on your outdoor lighting so that you don’t need to worry about switching it on in the evening and off in the morning. This way, your outdoor lighting will switch itself on at the calibrated time of the evening and off at the calibrated time of the morning. 

Invest in a Bedside Lamp

A bedside lamp may not seem necessary to those of you who are used to using the main light of your bedroom while resting, using your phone or reading a book in bed. However, doing so is bad for your eyes and costs you money. 

Investing in a lamp will keep your eyes safe and save you money in the long run. It should be an easy decision at the end of the day!

Consult with a Professional

If you’re still not entirely sure on what energy efficient lighting you could use in your home, consider asking someone who does. There are plenty of professionals out there that will happily tell you which lights would be best for your home’s unique situation. 

At the end of the day, energy efficient lighting saves us both time and money. There’s really no downside to considering it. So, take what you’ve learned from our energy efficient lighting guide and apply it to your home as soon as you can. Enjoy your longer-lasting bulbs and smaller electricity bills!