Lighting and Energy Efficiency
Being Smart with Great Lighting
A significant factor in any comprehensive home improvement plan is the effective use of light sources. Environmentally responsible lights and lighting fixtures provide low-energy efficient lighting solutions that save energy without sacrificing efficiency. Cost savings are also worthy of consideration.
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Light is a major component of any living space. Specialized light and lighting fixtures are available for work areas, reading, mood lighting and display purposes for both interior and exterior applications.
Efficient lighting saves excessive installation of potentially redundant lighting fixtures. If one lamp can be used for several purposes, without impacting lifestyle or being a nuisance, then it makes sense to use it. Focused local area lighting is more effective than broad general area lighting for most tasks. Increasing ambient lighting from natural or indirect sources – such as skylights and mirrors – can brighten a room without using electricity.
Interior lighting can be improved by the use of low-wattage bulbs or low-voltage DC fixtures located strategically in the areas where they are most likely to be used. The latest generation of miniature florescent tubes focus light in a very intense relatively broad area. For example, in the sewing room, a very bright florescent fixture can be used at the work table or at the machine; yet it uses less electricity than the tiny incandescent bulb installed by the manufacturer of the machine.
Exterior lighting for walkways, patio or deck use, or underwater lighting can be used to set a mood, enhance safety and security or serve as pest control devices. Many nocturnal pests abhor light and it is a practical alternative to trap-and-release.
Environmentally-sensitive lighting is practical for the homeowner, as most existing incandescent bulbs have low-wattage replacements. In the kitchen, changing light fixtures to low-voltage DC is not only an energy-saving step, it also provides a level of safety household AC current can not match. When lighting is used in conjunction with a solar panel-powered system, DC current can be routed from the battery bank without having to use the DC-to-AC inverter. Cost savings from government incentives or tax deductions may be possible, consult a tax professional for qualification criteria.
Installation of lamps – and many light fixtures – does not necessarily require the use of a professional contractor. By simply changing bulbs and relocating existing lighting fixtures can start realizing immediate cost-to-operate savings. If the lighting plan calls for specialized installation, consider renting tools/equipment for those items with temporary or limited use in the home.
