Choosing Energy Efficient Lighting
When choosing energy-efficient lighting, there are a number of different things that you should consider. In fact, it is not simply a matter of choosing the lighting that is most efficient. Other factors, such as cost, safety and location can be just as important when making your decision. In this article, I will discuss some of those factors that you should consider when making a decision about energy-efficient lighting.
Cost: For indoor lighting, there are two basic types of energy-efficient lighting. There is fluorescent lighting, by far the most popular type. However, there is also LED lighting, a less common form of lighting that is becoming more popular daily.
Both of these types of lighting will save you money on your energy bills, as they are four or five time more efficient than standard, incandescent bulbs. However, they are also more expensive. CFLs or "compact fluorescent light bulbs" cost about four times what incandescent light bulbs cost, so you will not usually make up the extra cost in energy savings for the first few years. LEDs or "light emitting diodes" cost about five times the cost of CFLs. For these lights, you will likely not make up the cost for about ten to fifteen years.
Safety: One serious concern with CFLs is their safety. Inside of CFLs (or any fluorescent light) is mercury gas, which is highly toxic. It is so toxic, in fact, that the EPA recommends evacuating a room if a light bulb breaks and recommends evacuating a building if that room is in a space with central heat, in both cases for fifteen minutes. If you are using a room for any physical activity that might break them, you should seriously consider not using CFLs. Lamps, toddlers and CFLs are also a dangerous combination.
LEDs, on the other hand, are very safe. Many of them don't even have a glass shell, so they can't shatter like other light bulbs. If you wish to use energy-efficient light bulbs in an area with physical activity or toddlers, they are your best option.
Location: Perhaps the best form of energy-efficient light bulb is solar lighting. It is both inexpensive and safe. The problem, of course, is that it requires sunlight to charge its batteries.
However, there are a number of places in the home where solar lighting might work. If you have large windows, you can use solar panels to light that area. Further, even a smaller, south-facing window will allow enough light to charge a solar lamp. Skylights are also an excellent place for solar lighting, as your light will charge during the day and you can then use lights inside of your skylight to light your room at night.
There are therefore a number of different options for choosing energy-efficient lighting. Which you choose depends on your financial and safety needs, as well as what locations you want lit in your home.
Cost: For indoor lighting, there are two basic types of energy-efficient lighting. There is fluorescent lighting, by far the most popular type. However, there is also LED lighting, a less common form of lighting that is becoming more popular daily.
Both of these types of lighting will save you money on your energy bills, as they are four or five time more efficient than standard, incandescent bulbs. However, they are also more expensive. CFLs or "compact fluorescent light bulbs" cost about four times what incandescent light bulbs cost, so you will not usually make up the extra cost in energy savings for the first few years. LEDs or "light emitting diodes" cost about five times the cost of CFLs. For these lights, you will likely not make up the cost for about ten to fifteen years.
Safety: One serious concern with CFLs is their safety. Inside of CFLs (or any fluorescent light) is mercury gas, which is highly toxic. It is so toxic, in fact, that the EPA recommends evacuating a room if a light bulb breaks and recommends evacuating a building if that room is in a space with central heat, in both cases for fifteen minutes. If you are using a room for any physical activity that might break them, you should seriously consider not using CFLs. Lamps, toddlers and CFLs are also a dangerous combination.
LEDs, on the other hand, are very safe. Many of them don't even have a glass shell, so they can't shatter like other light bulbs. If you wish to use energy-efficient light bulbs in an area with physical activity or toddlers, they are your best option.
Location: Perhaps the best form of energy-efficient light bulb is solar lighting. It is both inexpensive and safe. The problem, of course, is that it requires sunlight to charge its batteries.
However, there are a number of places in the home where solar lighting might work. If you have large windows, you can use solar panels to light that area. Further, even a smaller, south-facing window will allow enough light to charge a solar lamp. Skylights are also an excellent place for solar lighting, as your light will charge during the day and you can then use lights inside of your skylight to light your room at night.
There are therefore a number of different options for choosing energy-efficient lighting. Which you choose depends on your financial and safety needs, as well as what locations you want lit in your home.