Light Bulbs for Green Lighting

Home lighting is a vital component on interior design and home decoration. It has a big impact on how we feel.  It even affects our perception of a space’s size and the colors within that space. Lighting also contributes to our mental performance and the ability to complete a given task. Accent lighting on architectural elements can draw us into a room.

Gone are the days when based our lighting decision on based on brightness of a bulb.  The kind of bulbs, the kind of fixtures, the kind of power and our habits can also have a considerable impact on the energy efficiency of a home. Light bulb technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and more options are available than ever before. High-efficiency lighting is now available with many color options and a variety of light brightness. Energy-saving lighting initiatives are also easy for everyone to implement.

Switch Out Incandescent Bulbs

Standard incandescent and halogen bulbs use 4 to 10 times more energy than a fluorescent (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED) bulb to produce the same amount of light. CFLs are efficient and cost effective.  CFLs generate less heat, which is safer and more efficient in the warmer months when the air conditioner is running. In the winter months, they may need a little bit of time to reach their full brightness, use a bit more energy, and don’t last quite as long as LEDs. CFLs also contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled. Home Depot has a free CFL recycling program.

Replacing incandescent and halogen bulbs with LED light bulbs, give you the latest and best lighting technology. LEDs are highly durable and can outlast incandescents by years or even decades. The downside to LED bulbs is that they cost a bit more upfront than CFLs and sometimes also contain heavy metals, but they don’t need to be replaced as often. Be sure to look for LEDs made without heavy metals. It’s been shown that these bulbs, while more expensive up front, actually pay for themselves many times over during the course of their use.

When you go to replace your old light bulbs find the the right brightness.  You want to shop for brightness (lumens) and not energy consumption (watts). Energy.gov has the below rule of them on how to find the right bulb:

• • To replace a 100 watt (W) incandescent bulb, look for a bulb that gives you about 1600 lumens. If you want something dimmer, go for less lumens; if you prefer brighter light, look for more lumens.
  • Replace a 75W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 1100 lumens
  • Replace a 60W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 800 lumens
  • Replace a 40W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 450 lumens.

As efficient and green as your light bulbs might be, it doesn’t make sense to have lights on when no one’s around. Turn out lights in rooms or parts of the house where no one is. Teach your family and friends about it too and it will become second nature.