Using less energy is becoming more and more popular among homes and businesses. Energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and HVAC systems are just a few of the components that can be included in your home to reduce your energy bills and energy consumption. Before choosing to add energy-efficient home lighting, it is best to understand how they can benefit your home and what options are available. This blog will dive into more information on lighting options, energy efficiency benefits, and more!
Benefits Of Energy Efficient Lighting
When you install energy-efficient lighting, you will receive many benefits for inside your home. With LED or CFL bulbs, you will receive more life out of the light bulbs. Choosing energy-efficient lighting will cut down on the amount of times you need to replace bulbs throughout your home. LED bulbs can withstand up to 25,000 hours of use.
Modern lighting also contains fewer greenhouse gases and chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. When non-energy-efficient bulbs go to the landfill, they can release these pollutants into the atmosphere. Old lightbulbs contain harmful gases and materials like mercury. Even switching just a few of your light bulbs will limit the amount of pollutants you contribute to the environment.
Additional benefits of energy-efficient lighting include:
- Different color temperatures
- Produce less heat
- Suitable for residential and commercial spaces
- Often can be connected to smart technology
- Don’t require electrical upgrades to install
Energy-Efficient Light Options
While different models of light bulbs can change the energy efficiency rating, there are many options that can save you money. These long-lasting bulbs are the most popular options for homeowners as they provide adequate lighting without increasing your monthly bills.
LED Bulbs
The most popular choice for energy-efficient home lighting is LED bulbs. They are the most easily accessible and come in many shapes and sizes to fit any aesthetic. They come in many color options to create a better ambiance than traditional lighting.
Energy-efficient LED bulbs use about 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and have a lifespan of 25,000 hours. General lighting, accent lighting, and outdoor lighting can all benefit from LED bulbs.
CFL Bulbs
Compact fluorescent lamp bulbs pass an electric current through a gas to produce ultraviolet light which then becomes visible. These bulbs can be used for up to 10,000 hours and use 70-80% less energy than incandescent. Using these bulbs in spaces where you aren’t frequently turning on and off the lights is ideal. Frequent tripping of the light switch can reduce the CFL bulb light span.
Halogen Incandescent Bulbs
These are more energy-efficient options than traditional incandescent bulbs that typically fill your home. Halogen bulbs are 20-30% more efficient than standard bulbs. While their lifespan is much shorter than other energy-efficient bulb options, they can be useful in spotlight or focused light situations.
Solar-Powered Lighting
Harnessing the UV light from the sun is a great way to make your lighting more energy-efficient. Solar lighting means that you don’t have to pay energy bills to light your home properly. Solar energy can be used for years if you properly maintain the solar panels.
OLED Panels
The newest technology is OLED panels that use electroluminescence to produce light. These are highly efficient for entire home use and have a promising comparison to the lifespan of LED bulbs. They are currently used in high-end electronics and specialty lighting but may become more flexible in the future. The development for widespread use is still in the works but is projected to last longer than LED lights.
Utilize Natural Light To Lower Energy Bills
In addition to finding energy-saving bulbs, homeowners can utilize the natural light to brighten up their homes while lowering energy bills. Skylights, large windows, and light tubes can help spread the sunlight into dark areas of a home. Using daylight doesn’t require maintenance or high payments which means that your light longevity is endless.
Design With Efficiency In Mind
Layering your lighting by combining multiple lighting types will also help you save money on energy bills. Using LED strips in your cabinets and CFL desk lamps will help you combine efficiency and effect.
You can also save money by using dimmers to reduce the brightness of your lights. Lower-level lights will use less energy and electricity than brighter light options.
Cooler temperature lights can also change the ambiance of a room while reducing energy consumption. Including cooler lights in your kitchen, offices, and bedrooms may be a slight difference, but is enough to lower your carbon footprint.
Electrical From Connect Home Services
Our electrical team can inspect and repair your electrical with ease. Our technicians know how to make your home as energy-efficient as possible while still maintaining your comfort. Reach out to our team in Sandy, UT to schedule a service today!