According to the U.S. government, as much as 15% of your energy consumption goes to lighting. This number includes interior lighting and outdoor lighting.
When looking to reduce your energy bill, you should consider every possible source of conservation. A savings of just 10% could add up to hundreds of dollars every year.
One possible source of energy conservation is your lighting. Here are three ways to lower your lighting’s energy consumption.
Replace Your Light Fixtures
You have probably seen the term “Energy Star” on appliances. This certification program is administered through a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and manufacturers. Energy Star identifies equipment that meets strict environmental standards for energy efficiency.
Some energy gains are realized by merely replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. In fact, residential LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent lamps.
However, to gain the full benefits of LED and CF bulbs, you can replace outdoor lighting fixtures and indoor lighting fixtures with Energy Star compliant fixtures. These fixtures are designed to reduce heat losses while providing the same amount of light as older incandescent light fixtures.
Moreover, one of the major criticisms of LED bulbs is that they are usually incompatible with traditional dimmer switches. Modern Energy Star fixtures are usually capable of dimming LED bulbs, removing one of the primary objections to switching bulbs.
Install Automatic Shutoff Switches
As much as 30% of the light produced by outdoor lighting is wasted. This is because most outdoor lights in the U.S. run all night and stay on all day. Some ways to reduce the waste arising from outdoor lights include:
- Daylight sensors: Light-activated switches ensure that your lights turn off when the sun rises.
- Motion sensors: If you only use exterior lighting for guests and to scare away intruders, motion sensors can turn lights on when they are needed and turn them off when they are not needed.
- Timers: Timers can be used to turn off outdoor lights at a pre-programmed time to reduce energy use. They can also darken your home’s exterior to accommodate your sleep.
Use Dark Sky Compliant Lighting
Dark sky standards are intended to reduce light pollution in large and medium-sized cities. Fortunately, dark sky standards can also help reduce energy consumption.
Dark sky compliant lights use shielding to direct light to where it is needed. This reduces light leakage that causes light pollution. It also allows you to light an area more efficiently since lights are focused rather than diffused.
Moreover, dark sky standards encourage the use of automatic dimmers to control outdoor lighting. The theory is that lights are most necessary at dusk and dawn when you are arriving or leaving your home. However, during the night, lights are less necessary.
Even if you prefer to have some light for security or safety purposes during the night, an automatic dimmer can reduce the light intensity. This reduces both light pollution and energy consumption. However, anyone outside might not notice since the eyes adjust to the darkness.
Reducing energy consumption is good for your wallet and good for the environment. By replacing your lighting fixtures, installing lighting controls, and using dark sky compliant lighting, you will reduce your carbon footprint and your electric bill.
Contact us or visit to learn more about energy-efficient outdoor lighting. We are the lighting stores Scottsdale and Tucson trust for all their lighting needs.
