There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the cost of electricity has skyrocketed over the past few years. The public is looking for ways to save electricity due to the high costs, but also a fact that the public is increasingly aware that it is our duty to conserve electricity. The availability of coal and oil as our sources of energy is rapidly being depleted, so it is becoming more and more important than ever to conserve our natural resources.
It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the electricity that we use in and average household is used on lighting. Simple changes in the way we use lighting can result in dramatically lower utility bills.
Here are some tips on how you can start to save electricity.
Turn Off The Lights When Not In Use
This simple tip is the one most often overlooked. If you are not using a light fixture, turn it off. Teach children when they are young and the habit will be ingrained for a lifetime.
Decorative outdoor lighting may look attractive, but it is a waste of electricity if it is not being used as a safety feature. Turn outdoor lights off when not necessary.
Change TO Energy Efficient Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
Another simple way to save on electricity is to replace all your incandescent light bulbs with energy saving fluorescent lights (CFLs).
Energy-saving fluorescent bulbs, especially the compact fluorescent lights, use only 25% of the energy consumption of traditional incandescent light bulbs. They also last longer. Studies have shown that they last nearly ten times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. So granted they are more expensive to purchase than traditional light bulbs, you will quickly make up those costs by saving money on your electric bill in the future.
You do not need to go out and replace all your bulbs at once. You should try to switch out the bulbs in fixtures that are used more than two to three hours a day. Then you can gradually replace all the bulbs in your home with CFLs over time.
While on the subject of light bulbs, be sure to watch the wattage of the bulbs you use. Use the lowest wattage bulb that is needed for an area. If you have areas that use lights frequently such as your desk, reading area or kitchen, consider purchasing an energy efficient light fixture. That expense will be worth it in the long run.
Maintenance of Light Fixtures
Most people do not think of cleaning their light bulbs, but dirty light bulbs will use 25% more energy than clean bulbs. Following a regular cleaning schedule will help you save money.
Choose Energy Efficient Fixtures
Switching to more modern energy efficient light fixtures are also a way to save money. You would be surprised to find out how much energy can be saved by looking for fixtures with a high energy efficiency rating.
A good retail lighting store can help you understand the ratings if they are not familiar to you. All manufacturers publish the fixtures efficiency rating on the product, so you won’t have a difficult time getting this information. A little research before you shop, can save you money.
Installation of Lighting Controls
In areas where lights are often left on by mistake, the installation of a timer or a motion sensor can conserve a lot of energy and save you money.
There is a wide variety of controls available on the market today. Some of the more popular lighting controls are dimmer switches, motion sensors, timers, photo sensors and even occupancy sensors.
Before purchasing these controls, be sure you have a good knowledge of the terminology used to describe basic lighting terms. This will help you understand what you are purchasing.
If you are not familiar with the installation of electric products, you would be wise to consult a professional to help you decide which controls to purchase. You may even want them to install the products for you.
Solar Lighting Saves Energy
The final tip in this article is to replace your outdoor lighting with new solar lighting fixtures. There are a wide variety of these fixtures on the market today.
It is a fact that solar lighting is not as bright as traditional lights, so you will need to find a good quality fixture that will give maximum light and will last a long time.
Following these six simple tips will not only help you lower utility bills, but they will help conserve energy as well.