According to the U.S. Department of Energy, we consume about one-quarter of our electricity for lighting, at a cost of more than $37 billion annually! Energy efficient lighting can reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and prevent excess air pollution from power plants. Superior Lighting, a local light store located in North Miami gives suggestions for evaluating a lamp against its peers:
Replace Incandescent with Compact Fluorescents Bulbs. One of the greatest advances in energy-efficient lighting technology is the compact fluorescent bulb. When compared to the standard bulb the compact fluorescent bulb uses about a quarter of the energy and last up to four times as long. They fit many of your household or business lighting fixtures so no fixture replacement necessary. This simple step can have an energy savings of up to 75%!
Replace T12 Fluorescent Tubes with newer T8 Lamps and ballasts. Retrofit magnetically ballasted T12 fixtures with QUICKTRONIC electronic ballasts and OCTRON T8 lamps. T8 lamps are energy saving, longer life alternatives to standard T12 fluorescent lamps. Environmental benefits include their TCLP-passing status and Low mercury content. Energy saving benefits of up to 45%.
Always use occupancy sensors, dimmers and photocells when able. Energy savings varies. Retrofit your EXIT Signs with LED Bulbs - they use less electricity and last longer. Exit signs typically contain two or more small, incandescent bulbs which use a total of 30 to 50 watts. All exit signs operate 24 hrs. a day, every day resulting in 8,760 hours of use per year. A single sign may use from 175 to 438 kwh of electricity per year and require bulb replacement two to four times per year. Our LED exit sign bulbs (light emitting diode) have an average estimated bulb life of 25 years and consume only 2 watts per sign installation. Energy savings of up to 90%.
Use Halogen or Compact Fluorescent Reflector Spot or Flood Bulbs where appropriate. Standard bulbs are a poor choice for recessed down lighting because they radiate light in every unnecessary direction - not just down. This causes the fixture to “trap” the light rather than radiate it. The best solution in this instance is to use a compact fluorescent reflector or halogen bulb in place of the ordinarily wasteful standard bulb. They may cost more initially but the savings will add up. Implementing these new light fixtures will also see a recognizable difference in the quality of lighting making your home, business or multi-family dwelling a happier and safer place to be.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
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