Energy-Saving Lighting Options
Lighting Facts
•Accounts for 20% to 25% of all electricity used •Average household spends 5% to 10% on lighting •More energy used for lighting than to run a refrigerator •Increasing lighting efficiency will decrease energy bills
Three Types of Lighting
•Ambient Lighting
•Task Lighting •Accent Lighting
Fluorescent Lighting
•Used mainly for ambient & task lighting •3 to 4 times as efficient as incandescents •Can last 10,000 hours •Quite different today than in the past •Provide a wider range of color quality
Fluorescent Lighting
•Work well in new or existing fixtures – indoors or outdoors •Check CFL packaging for any restrictions in use
–Some should not be used in enclosed fixtures –Many are made for specific fixtures
Light Output
•Lumens measure light output •Watts measure energy Example: 100 watt incandescent = 1,710 lumens 17 watts per lumen – 17 LPW 29 watt CFL = 1,750 lumens 63 watts per lumen – 63 LPW
Light Output
Incandescent Min. Output
Watts Lumens
CFLs
Watts
40 60
75
450 800
1,100
9-13 13-15
18-25
100 150
1,600 2,600
23-30 30-52
Light Output
•Quality of CFLs is a concern for consumers •Two factors affect light’s harshness
–Color Rendering Index (CRI) – measures on a scale of 0 to 100 the perceived color of objects under artificial light –Color Correlated Temperature (CCT) – measures in Kelvin (K) the appearance of the light itself – how “warm” or “cool” it seems
Color Correlated Temperature Ranges
•CFLs are available in a variety of CCT ranges
–“Warm White” or “Soft White” 2700 K – 3000 K –“White”, “Bright White”, or “Medium White” 3500 K –“Cool White” 4100 K –Daylight 5000 K – 6500 K
Light Output & Cost Comparisons
•Some LED lighting is a less ideal replacement for traditional lighting sources because of:
–Low light output –Higher cost –Color differences
Light Output & Cost Comparisons
•LED lighting is a good alternative for some lighting applications
–Outdoor lighting – landscaping or holiday lights can benefit from LED durability –Longevity of LED lights is a benefit for lights that stay on for long periods or are installed in hard-to-reach places
Simple Ways to Conserve Energy Through Lighting
•Use daylight for indoor lighting •Maintain lighting to enhance efficiency •Turn off lights •Clean or repaint small rooms •Select light-colored or translucent lampshades •Decorate with lighter colors
Simple Ways to Conserve Energy Through Lighting
•Place lamps in corners to reflect light •Use dimmers, timers, & motion detectors •Replace halogen torchieres with Energy Star torchieres •Use solar lights powered by photovoltaics •Use task lighting •Buy dedicated CFL fixtures •Use low watt CFLs or an LED for nightlights
CFL Disposal – Closing the Loop
•Mercury is an essential component of CFLs •No mercury released from CFLs when bulbs are intact or in use •EPA recommends taking advantage of local recycling options for CFLs •EPA is working with CFL manufacturers & major US retailers to expand disposal options
Change A Light, Change the World!
•Replacing one incandescent with an Energy Star CFL can:
–Save enough energy to light 7 million homes –Would result in a total savings of $600 million in utility bills
•Replacing five most used light bulbs with Energy Star CFLs can:
–Save you $60 per year in energy costs –Result in a total savings of $8 billion per year –Prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to emissions from nearly 10 million cars
Energy-Saving Lighting Options
Compiled Deborah J. Taylor NC Cooperative Extension Orange County Center
Web Resources
•Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
www.aceee.org/consumerguide/lighting.htm
•Energy Star www.energystar.gov
•Energy Hog www.EnergyHog.org •E-Conservation http://e-conservation.net/
This presentation was produced by North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Department of 4H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences with funding from the State Energy Office, N.C. Department of Administration