How to Save on Lighting Costs With Alternative Light Sources

Evaluate Your Current Lighting

Before looking into alternative lighting options, take some time to evaluate your current lighting situation. Here are a few things I recommend:

• Do an inventory of all the light bulbs and fixtures in your home. Make note of the type of bulbs (incandescent, CFL, LED, etc.), the wattage, and how many hours per day each light is typically used. This will give you a baseline understanding of your current energy consumption.

• Check for efficiency. Incandescent bulbs are extremely inefficient - only about 10% of the energy they consume produces light! CFLs and LEDs are much more efficient, using around 70-80% less energy. Replacing incandescents with CFLs or LEDs can result in huge energy savings.

• Look for wasting lighting. Are there rooms or areas that are illuminated even when not in use, such as closets or spare bedrooms? Installing occupancy sensors, timers, or dimmers can cut waste.

• Note brightness levels. Do you have any lamps or fixtures that are unnecessarily bright for their intended use? Dimming or replacing with a lower-wattage bulb can save energy.

• Check fixture condition. Damaged or yellowed lampshades block light output. Replacing worn parts improves efficiency.

Explore Alternative Light Sources

Once you understand your current lighting situation, you can start exploring alternative options to reduce your energy usage and costs. Here are some of the most impactful:

Natural Light

Taking advantage of sunlight is the easiest way to reduce artificial lighting costs. Here are some tips:

• Open blinds, shades, and curtains during the day to maximize sunlight.
• Install larger windows or skylights if your home lacks natural light.
• Paint walls and ceilings white to evenly diffuse and reflect sunlight.
• Position desks and work areas near windows.
• Add mirrors and reflective surfaces to "bounce" light into darker corners.

LED Lighting

LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescents and last 25+ times longer. Some tips:

• Replace your most frequently used bulbs with LEDs first.
• Choose ENERGY STAR-rated LEDs for efficiency - these are tested to meet strict energy standards.
• Look for LEDs with a color temperature of 2700-3000K to match the "warm" tone of incandescents.
• You can dim most LEDs without losing efficiency.

Smart Lighting

"Smart" lighting systems allow you to control lights via smartphone, tablet, or voice assistant. Benefits include:

• Set schedules to turn lights on/off automatically when needed. No more wasting electricity in empty rooms!
• Adjust brightness levels to suit the task at hand.
• Integration with motion sensors for added automation and efficiency.

Task Lighting

Instead of brightly illuminating an entire room, focus light where you need it with task lighting:

• Use desk lamps for paperwork.
• Install under-cabinet lights in kitchens.
• Add floor lamps near seating areas for reading.
• Use pendant lighting to spotlight cooking/work surfaces.

This more focused lighting allows you to use lower ambient light levels in the rest of the room.

Take Advantage of Natural Light Cycles

Our bodies (and energy usage) align with daily light/dark cycles. Some suggestions:

• In the morning, use bright, "cool" colored light to energize. Open blinds and turn on LED/CFL lights with a temperature around 5000K.

• In the evening, use dimmer, "warm" colored lighting to wind down. Close drapes, use table lamps on the 2700-3000K setting or light candles.

• Install timers, motion detectors or smart lighting to automatically provide appropriate light levels at different times of day.

• When possible, match indoor lighting to outdoor conditions - brighter on sunny days, dimmer on cloudy days.

Use Lighting Controls

Here are some lighting control options to further enhance efficiency:

• Dimmers allow you to lower light levels to meet your exact needs.

• Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights on when motion is detected and off after an area has been vacant for a set time. Great for closets, garages, and bathrooms.

• Smart timers allow you to program lights to match your usage patterns and help prevent waste.

• Daylight sensors on exterior lights measure natural light and only turn on at night when needed.

• Automatic shades can respond to the sun's position and daylight levels to optimize heating/cooling.

Prioritize Maintenance

Don't neglect basic maintenance for continued lighting efficiency:

• Clean fixtures regularly - dirt, dust and bugs all reduce light output.

• Check for burned out bulbs and replace promptly. One dead bulb can diminish light from other fixtures.

• Paint walls and ceilings white/light colors for maximum light reflection and diffusion.

• Ensure lampshades are in good condition - cracked, yellowed, or misshapen shades block light.

• Keep light bulbs away from enclosed spaces - trapped heat shortens lifespan.

• Allow air circulation around lighting - this reduces heat buildup that can damage fixtures.

By following these tips, you can realize significant savings on your lighting costs while still enjoying quality illumination. Be sure to evaluate your specific needs and home layout when choosing alternative light sources and lighting controls. A little strategic planning goes a long way toward energy efficiency and reducing your monthly bills!