How to Reduce Your Lighting Costs

Energy efficient CFL and LED bulbs have revolutionized indoor lighting and the reduction in electricity bill can be seen by all who use them. However, the savings may not be permanent. Energy costs will continue to rise over time and that will be reflected in higher utility bills. There is an old adage that says that work expands to fill the time available. Similarly, electricity consumption tends to expand to fill power availability. In other words, if electricity is available, it will be used. It could be a new lamp or gadget, a bigger TV or washing machine etc. Over time electricity consumption will usually increase. This is normal and there is little you can do about it without making yourself unhappy and uncomfortable. However, you can control your lighting costs by eliminating power wastage.

Power Saving Tips

• Reduce wattage: An overly lit room not only wastes power, it creates a harsh ambiance that can cause eye strain. Use bulbs with only the wattage you really need.

• Avoid multiple fittings: Do not think that using multiple low wattage bulbs in place of a single high wattage one will save power. Generally speaking, it will not. The thumb rule is the more bulbs, the more power consumed.

• Use multiple switches: Use multiple switches, at different locations, to control light in large open rooms. This will enable you to light up only those parts of the room that needs to be lit. For example, if you are sitting alone in a living room reading, why do you need to have the whole room lit? A light where you are reading is enough.

• Install dimmers: There are times when you may want the light intensity of a room lowered to create the desired atmosphere. Dimmers will enable this and also reduce power consumption. Just check that the bulbs you are using will work with a dimmer.

• Use motion sensors and timers: Install motion sensors and timers for outdoor and security lights. This will enable them to be on only when they are needed.

• Keep fittings clean: Wall mounted fittings tend to collect layers of dust and grime over time. Cleaning them regularly will increase the light output and will reduce the number of lights required to light a room.

• Turn off lights: Lighting up an empty room is a waste of power- turn off the lights. This is the oldest and still the best way to save electricity.

Don’t Use Electricity

All these tips can help to control lighting costs. If you really want to reduce them, why not use electricity free indoor lighting? This is possible through the use of daylighting systems. By capturing daylight from the roof and carrying it through walls and ceilings to the interior of the house, free natural light will be available anywhere indoors. Of course, the efficiency and reliability of the system depends on the quality of the product and the way it is installed. Contact a reputed dealer of the leading daylighting system manufacturer. It is the green, energy saving solution you have been looking for.