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Could Efficient Lighting Lower Energy Bills? You Bet!

There’s $50 on the table for Woodstock and Roswell homeowners willing to make one simple change: Use efficient lighting. The Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save $50 a year just by replacing 15 inefficient lightbulbs with more efficient ones. It really is that easy! Here’s how.

The Problem With Old Lightbulb Technology

The familiar incandescent lightbulb we’ve all been using for decades has one significant downfall: It gives off about 90 percent of the energy it consumes as heat, instead of light. Over time, and when you add up all of the lighting in your home, that’s a lot of wasted dollars.

New Standards Affect Production

Back in 2012, the federal government required manufacturers to follow new standards for lighting, as a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The standards will be phased in through 2014.

The Act outlines that new lightbulbs consume at least 25 percent less energy, but manufacturers have come up with energy-saving lightbulbs that go much further.

As a result, manufacturers are producing three types of lighting that saves energy. These include:

  • An energy-efficient incandescent bulb. This lightbulb locks in about 25 percent savings on electricity consumption, the minimum amount established by the EISA. However, technological advancements have allowed manufacturers to increase its life span, too, by threefold.
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Choosing CFLs is a wise move because they offer up to 75 percent savings on energy use. The DOE estimates that CFLs “pay for themselves in less than nine months.” They have a life span 10 times as long as the standard incandescent lightbulb. If you’re using CFLs, keep in mind that they shouldn’t be turned on and off repeatedly. They last longer when they’re left on for longer periods of time; however, they can be used successfully with dimmers. When using them outdoors, make sure they’re shaded to keep heat gain down. A downside to CFS: They contain mercury, so it’s essential that you handle them carefully and dispose of them properly.
  • Light emitting diode (LEDs). Another energy-saving option, LEDs can boost savings by 80 percent, and last 25 times longer than incandescents. While generally the highest-priced option, installing LEDs encourages higher savings over time due to their long life span. LEDs generate less heat, too (3.4 BTUs, while incandescents produce 85 BTUs). As the technology evolves and becomes more cost effective, consumers are now able to choose LED 3-way bulbs, and use LEDs with dimmers, track lighting and recessed lighting (due to the low heat they emit). Another perk of the LED: It doesn’t contain mercury.

Work up a Lighting Plan for Your Home

The DOE estimates that the average homeowners spends about 10 percent of their electricity bill on lighting. With efficient lighting in place, you could slash a lot of dollars from your utility bill.

Reliable Heating and Air is happy to help you come up with a lighting plan for your home, and offer recommendations for replacing old lightbulbs and installing motion detectors and dimmers. Just give us a call today to talk to one of our energy-efficiency experts. We also offer comprehensive electrician services if you’d like help installing new lighting features in your home.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons