Energy Efficient Lighting

Fast Facts:

The average household dedicates 5-10% of its energy budget to lighting.
About 25% of all electricity generated in the United States is used for lighting.
In a typical residential or commercial lighting installation, 50% or more of the energy is wasted by obsolete equipment, inadequate maintenance, or inefficient use.
You can save money by changing the lighting fixtures and bulbs/lamps used in your home.
The incandescent lamp is the most common lighting source in US homes--it is also the least efficient.
Long-life bulbs are less efficient than regular life incandescent bulbs.
Fluorescent lamps convert electricity to visible light five times more efficiently than the incandescent lamps and last up to 20 times longer.
The operating efficiency and long life offset the initial high cost of a compact fluorescent lamp.
The most efficient light sources available are low-pressure sodium and high-pressure sodium lamps which are used primarily in street lighting and commercial and industrial applications.

Lower wattage, which may involve replacing bulbs, lamps or entire fixtures.
Reduce the light source's on-time, which means improving lighting controls and educating users to turn off unneeded lights.
Use day-lighting, which reduces energy consumption by replacing electric lights with natural light.
If purchasing a new lighting fixture, consider a fluorescent fixture instead of an incandescent fixture which can provide energy savings of 60% to 75%.
Replace lights with the longest hours of operation with more efficient energy technologies.
If replacing a bulb in an existing fixture, consider using a compact fluorescent bulb in the existing fixture.
Compact fluorescent lamps are most efficient in spaces where the lights are on for several hours per day.
In some table lamps, it may be necessary to install an adapter, harp extender, or a new harp specifically designed to accept compact fluorescent bulbs.
Convert outdoor incandescent lamps to high-pressure sodium or fluorescent lamps. Ask your hardware store about high-pressure sodium lamps.
Use installed dimmers regularly.
Use 4-watt nightlights instead of 7-watt nightlights.