Yesterday, driving home from work I was awestruck by the magnificent blue and orange hues of a few neighborhood solar lit garden art sculptures and stake lights. It was dark and cool, and inspiring to see how well these lights were still brilliantly illuminating gardens where flowers had faded. And so cost effectively! No need to water. No cost to light, even on cooler, darker days.
Improving lighting efficiency outside your house, or in, is one of the easiest ways to cut your energy costs. An average household dedicates at least 10 percent of its energy budget to lighting. The National Energy Development Project, a Virginia-based energy education non-profit organization, estimates that it’s more like 38 percent for businesses and schools. Even more exciting: using new lighting technologies can reduce energy use in your home by 50-75 percent that can save you a corresponding dollar amount on your utility bill.
Tips:
1. Buy fluorescent. Fluorescent bulbs last 6 to 12 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Use fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs where possible. They may cost a little more in the check out line, but in the long run, will save you money.
2. Try LED (light emitting diode). LEDs are starting to become more available for more types of lighting fixtures and are even more efficient than CFLs. Again, they will cost more but can save more.
3. Think ENERGY STAR. According to the U.S. Department of Energy Savers Booklet, buying ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs will save you about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Energy Star is a national standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States in 1990 with the passage of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act. Fixtures and appliances carrying the Energy Star logo generally use 20%–30% less energy than required by federal standards.
4. Conduct an energy audit. It will help you quickly assess where you can save money in lighting and other energy areas. Your utility or Chamber of Commerce can recommend an energy auditor near you.
5. Consider solar. Whole house solar electric and hot water requires an investment of time of money. Start with outdoor solar lights. NH Saves Online Catalog and local retailers offer many options. If you’re motivated to do more, research your options carefully.
6. Stay current on federal, state and your utility’s energy efficiency programs. There’s currently a bi-partisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011, co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, being presented in Washington; plus federal, state and utility-administered energy efficiency rebate opportunities are always changing. Study up. You can learn much online on government and utility websites and may be able to save on the purchase of energy efficient and solar systems.
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