10 Ways to Save Money on Lighting
From candles to LED bulbs, residential lighting has made vast improvements over the years in both quality of light and ease of use. Modern light bulbs are more energy efficient and brighter than ever, but that doesn’t mean you should skip putting energy efficient practices into your normal routine.
A few simple changes to your daily regimen can help net big savings over the life of a single light bulb. Check out the 10 Ways to Save Money on Lighting tips below to help keep your lights from running up your electric bill.
Types of Household Lightbulbs
Halogen Incandescents
Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent lamp that uses a halogen gas in order to increase light output and life span. Halogens are the lowest rated bulbs by the Energy Star system and are also the most affordable.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
CFLs are curly versions of the long tube fluorescent lights most commonly seen in garages and some kitchens. CFLs use less energy than halogens incandescents and can pay for themselves after just nine months of use.
Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
LEDs are a type of solid-state lighting — meaning that they are powered by energy passing through a semiconductor rather than utilizing gasses like a halogen or fluorescent bulb does. While these bulbs are higher in price, their long life and low energy impact make the investment well worth it.
10 Tips for Saving Money on Lighting
Tips 1-3: Power and Bulbs
1. Turn off lights when not in use
Remembering to turn off an overhead light or other electronic device when you leave a room is so simple! This is the simplest of the 10 Ways to Save Money on Lighting — and it’s also the most affordable too.
2. Buy energy efficient bulbs
Switching out old style incandescent bulbs for more modern LED bulbs can help you save big over time. Newer bulbs can also help provide a brighter, more energy efficient light source in your home.
3. Keep bulbs and lamp shades clean
This is a simple way to help make your lighting more efficient. A dust-free bulb (and lamp shade) helps project light farther and lets the bulb’s maximum brightness shine through. Don’t under estimate the power of a good dusting!
Tips 4-6: Timers and Switches
4. Task lighting is important
Task lighting is another important energy-saving step to put into your daily routine. Rather than powering on a large, wasteful overhead light, use a smaller, single bulb area lamp. This allows you to focus light around your immediate area to light the task you’re working on.
5. Use lighting timers
Light timers are often an overlooked but handy device that can provide an affordable way to cut energy costs. For example, adding timers to your outdoor lighting limits the amount of time the lights need to be on. Timers cut power during the day when lights aren’t needed and light them back up at sundown.
6. Use dimming switches
Using dimmer switches allows you to regulate the amount of light in the room while lowering your energy consumption when the full wattage of a bulb isn’t needed. Dimmers can be bought at local home improvement stores and are considered a DIY product that don’t require professional installation.
Tip 7-9: Utilizing Nature and More
7. Solar powered lighting
Solar power is great for powering things like walkway or driveway lighting. This option does have some higher initial costs, but saves energy down the road by using the sun as the power source and cutting electric costs associated with powering rows of outdoor lights. Solar is also nice as it can often replace traditionally powered lights ran through extension cords or hardwired into place.
8. Utilize natural light
Sunlight is free energy that we can all use! To make the most of daytime sun, keep your curtains open and windows/screens cleaned — this will help light rooms organically without any power usage.
9. Use Energy Star rated products
Energy Star rated products are among the most efficient appliances on the market. While this step may have a high initial cost, you will save more energy over the life of the machine that helps to offset future costs. Some Energy Star appliances are eligible for tax incentives as well.
10. Utilizing Energy Deregulation
Another great way to save costs on lighting, and your electric bill in general, is to sign-up for a low cost energy plan through a utility broker. We partner with Gold Star Energy to help save home owners and renters alike up to 20% on their utility bills. No gimmicks, no hassle – it takes two minutes to get a quote and in less than 10 minutes you could be signed up for a new lower cost energy plan that could save you hundreds per year.
Same electricity, same power lines, same service – so why pay more than you have to?
Click here to learn more or visit gseusa.com to sign-up.
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Check out our How to Conserve Water at Home tips listed at the link below — tips which can help cut gallons of water off your normal usage and help provide future generations with a clean, reliable water supply.
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Smart Product Buyer’s Guide
Navigating today’s vast online marketplace can be a bit overwhelming, so we’ve simplified your search by providing links to some of the highest-rated energy-saving products available. Whether you’re shopping for new LED light bulbs, solar powered walkway lights, or solar panels for your next camping trip, Go Save Energy USA has you covered!
Shop the Highest Rated Energy-Efficient Products: