Lighting can gobble up a sizable chunk of your home energy use. That means more money spent on electricity bills and more strain on the environment. However, there are some tips you can follow that will not only help you save some money, but they will also help preserve the environment for the generations after us.
Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Even though incandescent bulbs are not as widely available due to strict regulations that were enacted in 2023, you may still have some lying around, and you may be able to get them from certain stores and online shops. Even so, you do not want to continue using them. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs instead. These bulbs use way less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which means huge savings for you and the planet.
Incandescent bulbs work by heating a thin filament inside the bulb until it glows. This process creates light, but it also generates a lot of heat – that is why these bulbs feel so warm. Unfortunately, most of the energy used goes towards heat and not light.
Energy-efficient bulbs, on the other hand, work completely differently. There are two main types: these are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs use a special gas that glows when electricity passes through it. LEDs use tiny semiconductors that emit light. Both CFLs and LEDs use way less energy than incandescents, and they last much longer as well.
Shine Bright and Save Green With Smart Plugs
Even after switching to energy-efficient bulbs, there are still ways to squeeze even more savings out of your lighting bill and reduce environmental strain. Smart plugs can be a game-changer. These handy devices connect to your Wi-Fi network and allow you to control lamps and other electronics remotely using your smartphone or voice commands.
Smart plugs can also be used to create lighting routines. For example, you could program your porch lights to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise to provide extra security without wasting energy during the day.
Use Dimmer Switches
Another tech trick for saving money and being kinder to the environment is using dimmer switches. These allow you to adjust the brightness of your lights to give you more control over the amount of energy you use. Dimmer switches are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere in the evening, and they can significantly reduce energy use compared to running lights at full power.
Upgrade Your Fixtures
Not all fixtures are created equally. While you can swap traditional incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient options in most fixtures, some newer bulb types might require specific fixture designs to function properly. Upgrading your fixtures can ensure optimal compatibility with LEDs or CFLs to maximize their energy-saving potential.
Following these tips for energy-efficient lighting is a simple change with big benefits. You will save money on your electricity bills, help the environment and maybe even inspire your friends and family to do the same. For help with energy-efficient lighting in your Waldorf, MD home, reach out to Circuit Doctor straight away.
