Selecting and Installing Lighting
1. Buy compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for light fixtures you use more than two hours a day. A CFL bulb uses about 75 percent less electricity to produce the same amount of light as a standard bulb. Only 10 percent of the energy used by a regular incandescent bulb actually goes toward producing light -- the rest is wasted as heat!
2. Use the following conversion chart to determine the wattage you need:
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3. Read the CFL package carefully to see that 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. Check to see if you’re buying an “outside” or “inside” bulb, because some CFLs are sensitive to cold temperatures.
4. Don’t be fooled: Some incandescent light bulbs are labeled “reduced wattage,” but they are no more efficient than standard incandescent light bulbs. The savings you’ll gain will be mainly from reduced light output.
5. Replace your halogen torchiere floor lamp with a CFL model. They’re safer, use 70 percent less electricity and produce just as much—if not more—light.
Maintenance
1.
Replace bulbs in hard-to-reach locations with CFL bulbs. One CFL bulb can last
as long as 10 incandescent light bulbs, reducing the amount of time spent replacing
bulbs.
2. Dust your light fixtures regularly to prevent dirt build-up. Dirt reduces a bulb’s light output.
Everyday Tips
1.
Practice common sense. Turn off lights when you leave the room, and don’t
use more light than you need. If you tend to forget to turn off lights in your
house, consider investing in a motion-sensing light that will turn off when
you leave the room.
2. Install timers on outdoor lights to make sure they are turned off during the day. Note: CFL bulbs are not intended for use with digital timers, so pick a mechanical one.
3. Be strategic: Put a lamp in the corner of the room where it can reflect light off of two wall surfaces instead of just one.
4. Take advantage of natural daylight. Use reflective louvers or venetian blinds that let light into a room while still protecting your privacy. Decorate with brighter colors that reflect daylight.
5. Use task lighting. Instead of brightly illuminating an entire room, focus the light where you need it: on a desk, at the kitchen sink or at your workbench.