Lighting Goes Green

Everyone is talking about sustainable resources. We hear about the effect of greenhouse emissions on the web, television and in print, and it is true, the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability or LOHAS ( http://www.lohas.com/ ) movement is gaining ground. However, while many of us are faithfully trying to work for a greener future, some of us need a hand with information and tips on how we can contribute toward a way of living that positively impacts our earth.

Using energy efficient lighting is just one way of being mindful of our planet. After all, our children learn what we live. Why not live green?

Fortunately, home lighting is one area where you can make a difference in conserving resources and saving money. Yes, you would actually save two ways: money and energy. A double win will indeed make you feel great in the process.

As easy as changing a light bulb

Here’s how to start an energy-saving exercise: count how many lights are in your home. Now consider how frequently you change bulbs and how many bulbs you have stashed in case of burn-outs. No doubt each lighting fixture requires a certain amount of bulbs. It is also a bet that you need several styles of bulbs, in different wattages to furnish all the lighting needs in your home. Have you calculated how much you spend on bulbs? The cost adds up, and so does the need for an extra cache to store the hoard of replacement bulbs.

According to www.energystar.gov, lighting comprises about 20% of your home electric costs. A compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb uses about 70% less electricity and is up to 10 times longer-lasting than an incandescent bulb. Though it may cost a bit more initially, you will note that a CFL bulb quickly provides a great return for your money.

Statistics from this site stated that if every home in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with one CFL bulb, that, theoretically, we would "save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars."

Change all the bulbs in your home from incandescent to a compact fluorescent and imagine how much you’d save on electricity bills, not to mention what a happy impact you’d make on the environment! Not ready to change all your bulbs? Why not try changing bulbs in just a few of your lighting fixtures, then check out the difference in your monthly electric bills?

Flick the switch

Many people like having lights on throughout their homes and outdoors as well. Not only does it make you feel safer inside your home, it also provides an inviting warmth and appeal from curbside. Turning off even a few of those lights when not required is an easy way to go green. It’s also economical. Turning off radios or televisions when they are more background noise than attention-grabbers is beneficial for the environment, too.

Update and upgrade lighting fixtures

Older fixtures may be in working order, but it is probable they are not energy efficient. Simple advances in technology and requirements for manufacturers of lighting and home appliances have made newer offerings energy-saving. Why not upgrade your lights to energy conserving styles and update your décor at the same time?

For example, pendant lighting fixtures come in a variety of styles, colors and shapes. They are trendy, fashionable and functional. Depending on where you place them, they can provide ambient, task or accent lighting.

Once you see the plethora available, you’ll have difficulty choosing just one or two. Styles range from clean and modern to sparkling and bejeweled. If you like an upscale, current look, you’ll find pendant lights appropriate for almost any area of your home. Use a CFL energy-saving bulb in conjunction with a newer fixture and you surely have a winning combination.

New dimmer switches

The array of dimming switches offered today provides a safe and effective way to reduce lighting costs. The designs of dimmer switches can include tiny LED lights or night lights. Some are touch on-and-off capable.

Old dimmers, which were rheostats, could become warm to the touch as the electricity changed into heat. They wasted energy. New dimmers use internal electronics to dim lights so that most of the electricity gets used in the bulb, not the switch.

New dimmer switches use a metal plate, referred to as a heat sink, which emits heat as a result of ordinary friction flowing through the switch. It works intentionally this way to keep electricity from damaging house wiring or the dimmer switch itself.

A homeowner who reads package directions can install a dimmer switch. You don’t need special wiring, but you do need to make sure you purchase the right dimmer for your lighting requirements. You will need to calculate the total wattage of the bulbs from your fixture so you purchase a properly rated dimmer. Typically, they are rated for 600 watts up to 1000 watts of lighting.

A point-of-use dimmer switch on a table lamp will eliminate your having to buy three way bulbs. Use it with a standard higher wattage bulb to create different levels of lighting. Whether you need reduced lighting to watch TV or just enough to guide your footsteps down a hallway, these dimmers come in handy.

Motion sensors and timers

Like dimmer switches, motion sensors and timers reduce energy consumption. Lighting that is automatically timed to go off is helpful for those of us who leave a room forgetting to switch off a light. Motion sensors and timers have long been used for outdoor lighting applications: patios, walkways or perimeters, for instance. They welcomed visitors and deterred unwanted traffic. Today, motion sensors and timers are ideal for anywhere themed or timed lighting is needed.

Suppose you would like a light in the kitchen, the foyer and the master bedroom to welcome you home at the end of a workday. A timer could accomplish that. If your lighting needs were more complex, you may decide a whole house control system is best. Whole house systems that can control not only your lighting, but also other appliances are available today. These systems are designed to be energy-saving as well as pleasing to the homeowner.

A ripple effect

Combine several of these energy efficient lighting methods and your cost savings will soar as you impact our planet’s survival. Imagine if everyone took the same measures. After all, each advance starts with our first step in a specific direction.