• Energy Saving Tips

The quantity and quality of light around us determine how well we see, work, and play. Light affects our health, safety, morale, comfort, and productivity. In your home or office, you can save energy while still maintaining good light quantity and quality.

Here are some tips:

  • Consider using high-intensity discharge lights or metal halides paired with electronic ballasts especially for high ceilings, because of it’s long service life it is also ideal to use this kind of lamp on hard to reach places like eves or lamp posts.
  • Only turn on decorative lamps when needed, when constructing a new home or office make sure you always have alternative light sources to go with your decorative lamps, if there is no way to install alternative lighting sources table and floor lamps can be considered.
  • Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion sensor so they will turn on only at night or when someone is present. A combined photocell and motion sensor will increase your energy savings even more.
  • Consider using low wattage fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lights are much more efficient than their incandescent counterparts.
  • If you have lighting fixtures that uses halogen lamps, consider replacing them with warm white compact fluorescent. Compact fluorescent use 60% to 80% less energy, can produce more light (lumens), and do not get as hot as the halogen.
  • Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.
  • Recessed down lights (also called pinlights) that use conventional type pre-heat ballasts can be replaced with electronic rapid start ballasts, this will save you money not only on your electric bills but also on bulbs replacements. The flickering on fluorescent bulbs during start-ups is caused by the pre-heat ballasts and it is the number one contributor on fast CFL replacements.
  • Use CFL’s in all the portable table and floor lamps in your home. Consider carefully the size and fit of these systems when you select them. Some home fixtures may not accommodate some of the larger CFLs.
  • Use fluorescent fixtures (T5 or T8) with reflective backing and electronic ballasts for your workroom, garage, and laundry areas.
  • Consider using two-way pinlights (available only at Illuminati Technique); they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary.
  • Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops under cabinets.
  • Turn off the lights in any room you're not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.
  • Use fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling- and wall-mounted fixtures that will be on for more than 2 hours each day.
  • Use ENERGY STAR® labeled lighting fixtures.
  • Consider light wall colors to minimize the need for artificial lighting.
  • Installing additional windows or skylight can provide your home with day lighting. When properly selected and installed, a window or skylight can help minimize your cooling and lighting costs.