One of the more basic ways to reduce energy use is controlling your lighting needs. This not only includes changing your source of lighting but also some common sense habits that will improve your lighting efficiency.
- Turn off the light if the room is not occupied. There are all kinds of myths out there that turning a light off and on uses more energy than just leaving it on. Unless we are talking about turning lights off and on in mere seconds then yes, but the odds of that happening are rare.
- Use of motion sensors or switches in door frames is a good alternative. Motion sensors work great for stairwells where turning on and off a switch might not be easy or not previously wired.
- Timers are also a good alternative to leaving a light on all day so the house isn’t dark when you come home.
- Proper light placement. Locate lights in areas where you would need them the most often such as next to chairs for reading.
- Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) provides a good alternative to the standard incandescent light. A CFL can use 75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.
- Christmas light alternatives have been getting better and light emitting diodes (LED) are your best choice. Not only will they cut your electrical usage, but you get improved safety by not having the old hot incandescent lights on the tree.
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