DO RIGHT SAVE LIGHT

DO RIGHT SAVE LIGHT

New energy standards have been implemented over the past few years that require light bulbs to use 28 percent less energy in order to consume less energy (watts) for the amount of light produced (lumens). In 2013,75-watt bulbs were replaced with 53 watt bulbs.

In January 2014, 60-watt and 40-watt bulbs were replaced with

43 and 29 watt bulbs respectively.In July 2012, new efficiency standards were implemented regarding incandescent reflector lamps and general service fluorescent lights, which basically eliminated lights with the lowest efficiency and the lowest initial cost. In November 2014, new efficiency standards were

implemented for flourescent lamp ballasts.

• ·       Provide “task” lighting (over desks, tool benches,

craft tables, etc.) so that work and leisure

activities can be done without illuminating entire

rooms.

• ·       Select the type of light bulb on the basis of its

efficiency. Compact fluorescent bulbs will give an

incandescent bulb’s warm soft light, while using

75 percent less electricity. They also last about

8 to 10 times longer. Use these bulbs in fixtures

or lamps that are on for more than two hours

each day.

·    

•    If you don’t like the “look” of compact fluorescent

lighting, consider high-efficiency halogen

lighting. For example, a 100-watt incandescent

bulb can be replaced by a 72-watt or 70-watt

halogen bulb. A 60-watt incandescent bulb can

be replaced by a 43-watt or 40-watt halogen bulb.

• ·       Consider using LED light bulbs, especially in

hard-to-reach fixtures. A 60-watt incandescent

bulb can be replaced by a 7.5 to 10-watt LED

bulb that may have a rated lifetime of more than

25,000 hours.

•      Some, but not all compact fluorescent and

LED bulbs can be used with dimmer switches.

Check the package to make sure. Where possible,

consider using dimmable LED or compact

fluorescent bulbs. However, do not use them with

non-dimmable switches.

• ·      Instead of using a 190-watt halogen torchiere

to light up a room, consider a compact fluorescent

or LED torchiere that will produce as much light,

and use less than 70 watts.

Note: Federal law mandates that the maximum

power use of torchiere light fixtures can be

no more than 190 watts. If you purchase a

torchiere, make sure that your fixture meets

this requirement.

• When possible, place floor, table, and hanging

lamps in the corner of a room rather than against a

flat wall. Lamps in corners reflect light from two

wall surfaces instead of one and, therefore, give more usable light.

• ·       The reflectance of interior surfaces has an

important bearing on lighting efficiency. In homedecoration, therefore, choose lighter colors forwalls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. Dark colorsabsorb light and require higher lamp wattagefor a given level of illumination. Light-coloredsurfaces should be kept clean to keep reflectancelevels high.

• ·       In lamps and fixtures having two or more

sockets for incandescent bulbs, consider using

a single large bulb in one socket rather than filling

all sockets with bulbs of smaller wattage. A

72-watt halogen bulb, for instance, produces 35

percent more light than four 25-watt traditional

incandescent bulbs for the same amount of energy.

Using compact fluorescent or LED bulbs will

save more energy. Typically, a 23-watt compact

fluorescent bulb or a 14 to 17-watt LED bulb can

replace a 90- or 100-watt incandescent bulb or a

72-watt halogen bulb.

• ·       Many so-called “long life” bulbs emit significantly

less light than a standard incandescent

bulb of the same wattage. They should be used

only where the long-life feature is advantageous,

as in hard-to-reach fixtures, or where it is not

possible to use compact fluorescent or LED bulbs.

• ·       Clean lighting fixtures regularly. Dust on lamps

and reflectors impairs lighting efficiency.

• ·       For large areas such as family recreation

rooms, where high levels of lighting are required

periodically but not 100 percent of the time, install

fixtures on two or three separate circuits so illumination can be controlled by switching circuits

on and off.

• ·       To ensure that outdoor lighting is turned off

during the daytime, install photoelectric controls

or timers.

• ·       Consider using compact fluorescent or LED

bulbs in outdoor fixtures. Many bulbs will produce

light down to an outdoor temperature of 0°F.

Check to see if they are compatible with photoelectric

controls or timers.

• ·       If you are on vacation and have a timer on a

lamp for security reasons, use a compact fluorescent

or LED bulb to save energy. Make sure

the timer is compatible with the bulb.

• ·       For holiday lighting, consider using LED lights.

Not only will LED lights reduce electric use

by more than 90 percent compared to traditional

incandescent holiday light bulbs, they will last

more than 25,000 hours.