Efficient Lighting: A Bright Idea That Saves Money and Energy!

Learn how GreenHomes America helps reduce your energy consumption through the use of efficient lighting, such as high-efficiency CFL's and LED lighting options.

In the average U.S. home, lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the electric bill. For homeowners looking for a quick and easy way to save money and energy, consider upgrading to ENERGY STAR® qualified efficient lighting.

GreenHomes America always recommends replacing the lighting in high-use areas with low energy-consuming lights and fixtures. These fixtures include:

• kitchen lights.
• ceiling lights.
• living or family room table lamps.
• floor lamps.
• porch or post lamps.

Low energy lighting technology includes LED lights. Generally, LED lights provide bright, warm light. Plus, LEDs consume about 75% less energy than standard lighting! The reduced energy consumption also produces less heat and lasts about 10-20x longer.

As a result, for anyone remodeling, building a new home, or just updating the look of a room, consider installing new ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures.

LEDs – Great for task lighting!

Additionally, LEDs provide a better option for placing light in a single direction versus incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Why? LEDs offer directional output, which clever designs leverage in creating LED lighting options. Also, LED strip lights provide multiple installation options, which include under counters or in hallways or staircases. LED lighting provides concentrated arrays useful for any room lighting. Plus, LED lights work great outside. LED lighting offers waterproof bulbs, making them ideal for gardens, walkways or outdoor fixtures.

LED lights provide rugged and damage-resistant efficient lighting compared to compact fluorescents and incandescent bulbs. Plus, LED lights don't flicker! However, they are very heat sensitive, which means excessive heat or inappropriate applications dramatically reduce both light output and lifetime.

Uses include:

• Task and reading lamps.
• Linear strip lighting (under kitchen cabinets).
• Recessed lighting/ceiling cans.
• Porch/outdoor/landscaping lighting.
• Art lighting.
• Night lights.
• Stair and walkway lighting.
• Pendants and overhead.
• Retrofit bulbs for lamps.

LEDs Offer Efficient Lighting For Motion Detectors

Outdoors

A motion detector is a device that contains a physical mechanism or electronic sensor that quantifies motion that can be either integrated with or connected to other devices that alert the user of the presence of a moving object within the field of view.

Using these can save you money on your utility bills if you typically have your lights on outside most of the night and they are an inexpensive security feature.

Indoors

An occupancy sensor is a motion detector that is integrated with a timing device. It senses when motion has stopped for a specified time period in order to trigger a light extinguishing signal.

These devices are great to use in closets or hallways, especially if people in your household frequently forget to turn them off. These devices will turn on when motion is detected and then automatically turn off after a preset period of time when no motion has been detected.