Let's Look at Lighting |
Compact fluorescent, energy-saving incandescent, halogen. Today’s advanced lighting technologies provide many options to help you create a balance between a pleasant indoor environment and energy efficiency.
Consider the difference between general and task lighting. General room lighting, that provides overall light to an area, usually consists of ceiling fixtures, wall fixtures and table lamps and requires lower wattage bulbs. Task lighting requires higher wattages and is used for specific purposes, such as reading or working at a kitchen counter.
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Compact Fluorescent Bulbs |
The next time you’re about to replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb, consider a 15-watt compact fluorescent. It provides the about the same amount of light while using up to 70% less energy. Before purchasing, consider where it will be used, the task you will be performing and how much light is required. Compact fluorescent bulbs do cost more to buy, but they use much less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They are not meant to replace every incandescent bulb in your home. Compacts are best suited to light fixtures that are used for periods of 3 or more hours per day to achieve the best payback on their original cost. Buying Tips for Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Light output varies from brand to brand. Check the manufacturer’s specifications when replacing regular incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Be sure to measure the space available in your lamp or fixture. Most compact fluorescents cannot be used with dimmer switches or photocells. Some compact fluorescents are not suitable for outdoor use. However, those with electronic ballasts will operate as low as –18oC (0oF). Check the manufacturer’s information for details.
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Fluorescent Tubes |
Today’s fluorescent tubes use on average 60-80% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and offer a range of light quality. Fluorescent tubes last 10 to 20 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and are available in a variety of lengths. They are ideally suited for kitchens, bathrooms and workrooms.
Buying Tips for Fluorescent Tubes
Fluorescent tubes require a ballast to operate and must be mounted in special sockets. Fluorescent tubes are not compatible with dimmer switches. Cold weather ballasts recommended for unheated areas.
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Energy Saving Incandescent Bulbs |
Energy saving incandescent bulbs look just like standard bulbs. The only difference is they come in wattages of 34, 52, 90 and 135 instead of 40, 60, 100 and 150 watts. For most people the slightly lower light output is not noticeable. Buying Tips for Incandescent Bulbs
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Trilight Bulbs |
Trilight bulbs are another energy saving option. These bulbs offer the choice of three light intensities, giving the lamp the flexibility to act as a general room light or a task light. Consider this feature when shopping for floor or table lamps.
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Halogen Bulbs |
Halogen bulbs use up to 40% less electricity because of their quartz crystal and halogen gas components. They are efficient replacements while using fewer watts. The 45 and 90-watt Parabolic Aluminum Reflector (PAR) lamps replace standard 75 and 100-watt spot and flood lights respectively and can be ideal for track lights, pot lights and outdoor security systems. While more expensive, halogen bulbs last 2 – 4 times longer than standard incandescents. Low voltage (12 volts) halogen or quartz bulbs are also available in very small sizes for fixtures that have a built in transformer to lower the voltage. Buying Tips for Halogen Bulbs
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Dimmer Switches |
You can make standard incandescent bulbs more efficient by controlling them with dimmer switches. Turning light levels down saves both energy and extends bulb life.
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Motion Sensors |
Equipping outdoor fixtures with a motion sensor is a great way to greet yourself or your guests during the evening without leaving the lights on unnecessarily. This simple fixture can also be a great security feature.
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Timers |
To make your house look occupied when you’re out, install programmable timers to turn some lights on and off a specified times. Timers are also available for outdoor use. If you want a light to stay on all night, a photoelectric cell will automatically turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn.
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Start at the Switch |
Does it make sense to turm off the lights if you're leaving a room for a short time? Absolutely. Think of your switch as if it were a water tap. Turning off the switch will save energy for both incandescent and fluorescent fixtures alike.
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Choose the Right Light for the Job |
| Use the chart below to compare electricity consuption and illuminiation when researching replacement bulbs. |
Incandescent | Compact Fluorescent | Watts | Lumens | | Watts | Lumens | 25 | 270 | | 5 | 250 | 40 | 510 | | 7 | 400 | 52 | 780 | | 9 | 600 | 60 | 860 | | 15 | 900 | 90 | 1540 | | 18 | 1250 | 100 | 1680 | | 26 | 1800 |
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| What's a lumen? It is the unit of luminous flux in the International System of Units, that is equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one candela intensity radiating equally in all directions. |
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