- Change five lights. Replace your home's five most
frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have
earned the government's ENERGY STAR and save about $60 a year in energy
costs. The 5 highest-use lights are typically found in the kitchen,
family and livingroom, bathroom, and outdoor areas (such as a porch or
post lamp).
- Get 1 instead of 10. Compact fluorescent lamps (CLFs)
last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving
you time buying and replacing bulbs, and an average of $30 or more in
energy costs over the life of each bulb. For each CFL you buy, you
save as many as 10 trips to buy an incandescent bulb!
- Look to lumens (not watts) for light. When selecting
energy-efficient light bulbs, use lumens, or light output, as the guide to
getting the right bulb. Energy-efficient lighting will provide the
same amount of light or more while using fewer watts.
- Consider the environmental savings. Your home can cause
twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as your car! Most U.S. homes
still get their electricity from power plants that burn fossil fuels and
release greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. Every CFL can prevent
more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Every bit helps to
reduce the risks of global climate change.
- Use dimmers. Dimmers not only allow you to set a mood by
providing a range of light output, but can also help decrease energy costs
associated with lighting. When buying CFL bulbs and fixtures, check
the packaging first to be sure that it will perform well on a dimmer.
- Flip a switch when leaving a room. Saving energy and
money can start by not wasting energy. When you leave a room, turn
off the light and see the savings.
- Safety first. The bulb in a halogen torchiere lamp burns
at between 700-1,100 degrees Fahrenheit - hot enough to fry an egg -
signaling a lot of wasted energy and money. To save energy, consider
replacing it with a fixture that's earned the ENERGY STAR and operates at
cooler, safer temperatures.
- Put your lights on a schedule. Make sure your lights are
on only when you need them. Install timers that automatically turn
lights off and on according to your needs. Use motion detectors on
outdoor security fixtures to prevent their being on all night. Use
photo cells or photo sensors on outdoor lighting to allow lights to come
on only when the sun is down. All ENERGY STAR qualified outdoor
fixtures come with photocells or photo sensors.
- Keep your cool with a ceiling fan. Are your using an old
ceiling fan to cool and light a room in your home? When you're ready
to replace it, choose an ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fan/light
combination model. It will use half the energy of a
traditional ceiling fan with lighting.
- Be part of a bigger change. Take the ENERGY STAR Change a
Light Pledge at
www:energystar.gov/changealight and join a growing community of people
committing to change at least one light at home, to help ensure a brighter
future.
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