Light Selection and Installation

• Buy compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for light fixtures used more than two hours a day. CFL bulbs use about75 percent less electricity to produce the same amount of light as standard bulbs. Only 10 percent of the energy used by regular incandescent bulbs goes to producing light. The remaining 90 percent is wasted as heat!
• Read CFL packages carefully so the bulb you’re buying will work in the place you have in mind. Three-way lamps and lights on dimmer switches require special CFLs. Some CFLs are sensitive to cold temperatures and you will need an “outside” bulb verses an “inside” bulb.
• Avoid incandescent light bulbs are labeled “reduced wattage.” They are similar in efficiency to standard incandescent light bulbs and the savings gained are mainly from reduced light output.
• Replace your halogen torchiere floor lamp with a CFL model. They’re safer, use 70 percent less electricity and produce just as much or more light.
• Choose a CFL that offers a shade of white light that works best for your application. Most CFLs provide warm or soft white similar to an incandescent bulb. CFLs come in cooler colors such as daylight or bright white, which work well for task lighting and outdoor applications.
• Use the following conversion chart to determine the wattage you need:

Maintenance

• Replace bulbs in hard-to-reach locations with CFL bulbs. CFL bulbs last longer, reducing the frequency and time spent replacing bulbs.
• Dust light fixtures regularly to prevent dirt build-up. Dirt may cause the room to appear darker.

Everyday Tips

• Practice common sense. Turn off lights when you leave the room and don’t use more light than you need. Consider investing in a motion-sensing light that turns off when you exit.
• Install timers or photo cells on outdoor lights to turn them off during the day. Note: CFL bulbs are not intended for use with digital timers, choose a mechanical one.
• Be strategic. Put a lamp in the corner of the room where it can reflect light off two wall surfaces instead of one.
• Take advantage of natural daylight. Use reflective louvers or venetian blinds to allow light into a room while protecting your privacy. Decorate with bright colors to reflect daylight.
• Use task lighting. Instead of brightly illuminating entire rooms focus the light where you need it, on a desk, at the kitchen sink or over your workbench.