In my household, I am the light keeper. That is, I go around the entire house on a regular basis shutting off all of the unused lights, especially the ones my husband leaves on. I’m hoping that shutting off lights will become a habit for my family, but so far that just isn’t happening.
Turning off unused lights is one way to save energy costs, of course, but there are several other strategies that you can use to reduce the carbon emissions caused by your lightening use. Here are some ideas.
Ask yourself if you really need that light. In the morning, we usually reach for the light in the bathroom to brush our teeth, to take a shower, etc. But on most days, there is enough light filtering through the window that a light is really unnecessary. Before you reach for the switch, ask yourself if you really need the light.
Switch or install task lighting. If you are sitting at your desk, a small LED computer light or at the very least a desk lamp with a lower wattage bulb may be all that you need to work. You’ll save energy this way by keeping all of the overhead lights off. The kitchen is another great place for task lighting, but really practically any room in the house can benefit from having focused light that uses less energy.
Take advantage of the availability of solar powered lights when it comes to outside landscaping. Solar lights aren’t adding anything negative to the environment (other than in their initial manufacture and delivery). If you need stronger lights for security reasons, use a sensor or motion detector. This will allow the light to switch on if you or a stranger approaches your home, but will keep the light off otherwise.
Dimmer switches are a must on incandescent lights. They will reduce the energy usage. Be aware that most dimmer switches are not compatible with CFL and LED lights, so check the box or instruction manual before installing.
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