Energy-Efficiency Lighting


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Energy Efficient Lighting

Energy costs associated with lighting can be reduced by four simple words: turn off the lights. However, there are some lighting and lighting control products available that can reduce your electrical consumption even when the lights are on. These products will help save you some money, while reducing your impact on the environment.

Types of Lighting

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are a fluorescent light source that replaces the incandescent lamps in the fixtures of your home. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and wattages, they provide as much light as an incandescent lamp while using only one third of the energy. CFLs also have a lamp life of ten times that of a typical incandescent lamp.

While the purchase price of a CFL is higher than that of an incandescent lamp, you will recoup the cost through energy savings and through the extended lamp life. Some of the latest innovations in CFL technology include the introduction of compact fluorescent “tri-light” light bulbs as well as CFLs that are compatible with dimming switches.

CFL bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury and must be disposed of properly. Disposal outlets may be provided by your local home improvement centres or hardware stores or contact your local municipality to find how to safely dispose of them.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) can reduce energy consumption and costs by 90 percent compared to an incandescent bulb and are expected to become an effective replacement technology for inefficient lamps in the years ahead. Before that can happen on a large scale, however, manufacturers must address outstanding issues related to LED efficacy and cost. Although some LED lamps are now available for desktop or direct lighting applications, the use of this technology in the residential sector is currently quite limited. LEDs have found a niche in the decorative light string market, where they are functional, attractive and cost-competitive with incandescent lights. In fact, LED is the only technology that currently meets the ENERGY STAR specification for decorative light strings. Despite the current limitations, great strides are being made and this technology will continue to evolve over time.

Fluorescent lighting is another alternative for energy-efficiency. Look for products with electronic ballasts, which operate at higher frequencies and use a smaller diameter lamp. This makes the light more energy-efficient and eliminates the “flicker” associated with old technology. Fluorescent lighting is available in a variety of fixture styles, including decorative.

Halogen lighting is an improved incandescent light source, providing a whiter light with slightly increased energy-efficiency. Halogen lamps come in a variety of sizes and wattages, and are available in either line voltage (120V) or low voltage (12V) configurations. Halogen lighting is commonly found in recessed lighting, track lighting and flood lighting.

Why not take advantage of a readily available light source – the sun! Many homeowners enjoy the natural lighting that skylights provide. However, skylights often do not distribute light evenly, are a significant source of energy loss, and can cause UV damage to carpets and furniture. Tubular skylights, on the other hand, use the sun for lighting interiors without the drawbacks associated with conventional skylights. They are generally easier to install than typical skylights and, from the home's interior, resemble conventional lighting fixtures.

Tubular skylights have a roof-mounted light collector typically consisting of an acrylic lens set in a metal frame. Most have a reflective sun scoop in the rooftop assembly that directs sunlight into a metal or plastic tube which has a highly reflective interior coating. The reflective tube guides the sunlight to a diffuser lens, mounted on the interior ceiling surface, that spreads light evenly throughout the room. The shape of the scoop is generally parabolic to reflect sunlight into the home regardless of the sun's angle in the sky.

Some tubular skylights have integrated electrical lights so the fixture can provide light both day and night and some have integrated baffles to regulate the amount of incoming sunlight.

Lighting Controls

Aside from switching the type of lighting you use, there are also a number of different lighting controls that can reduce your home’s energy consumption – and simplify the operation of your home. Consider installing dimmer switches. In addition to providing energy savings and extending the lamp life, dimmers adjust the ambience for any room in the house. Dimmer switches can also be used for landscape, yard and other outdoor lighting.

Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights on when they detect motion; they can also conveniently replace wall switches in laundry rooms, storage rooms, washrooms and garages. These sensors are particularly handy when you are entering or leaving a room with your hands full. Valuable energy savings will be realized with a system that automatically shuts lights off when the room is unoccupied.

Motion sensors are also useful for outdoor security lighting around the side yard, backyard and garage. Ensure that the sensitivity setting on the motion sensor – and direction of the lighting – are not set too low to avoid unnecessary and annoying operation of the security lighting.

Photocells are useful in automatically turning outdoor lighting on at dusk and off at dawn. Minimize the lamp wattage to reduce energy consumption. Timeclocks will automatically turn lights on and based on any time you specify. Timeclocks can be used to control table fixtures (for security purposes while on vacation), or be used to control outdoor or landscape lighting. They’re often used in conjunction with photocells, which turn lights on at dusk and then off at a preset time.