Green Your Living with Energy Efficient Lighting
Today’s consumers have embraced green living as a long-term way of life not as a trend. Research information recently has found half of all U.S. consumers consider “green living” when selecting consumer products, so it appears green living is taking root in people’s thinking.
This increased demand means companies are finding and supplying new green innovations for the home every day, giving consumers more and more green solutions to choose. It doesn’t mater whether they are motivated by the long-term cost savings or the environmental benefits the homeowners demand for green products is at an all-time high. In the sea of green products, one of the easiest places to start and make a real impact is with home lighting.
The home lighting industry has made huge strides related to energy efficiency, so much so that today’s green lighting options are growing all the time. Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL’s) solutions have been with us now for several years and many of us have made the switch around the house from incandescent to them. Now a new type of lights, Light emitting diodes or (LED’s) are gaining in popularity as a viable home lighting source.
Up until recently, this energy-efficient, semi-conducting light source was used only in electronic equipment displays, outdoor signage, and commercial lighting applications. The LED lighting of the past also had an unattractive blue hue and an expensive price tag which limiting its use in our homes. However recent improvements have made it possible for the LED lights to have the same bright white color range as incandescent lighting and have become affordable.
Other benefits of this pleasing light source are big Energy/Cost Savings. LED’s not only preserve energy resources and help reduce global warming they also save money on your electricity bill. LED lighting uses 75 percent less electricity than incandescent light sources. Think of the savings for your electricity bill over time. They withstand shocks, vibrations, frequent switching and temperature extremes that rapidly incapacitate fragile incandescent lamps.
LED products also have longer life with an average lifespan of 20 years or 50,000 hours of use. A typical incandescent bulb lasts just 750 hours. That means more than 50 regular light bulbs would be needed to equal the service life offered by a single LED source. Another big benefit is they produce little to no heat and are cool to the touch, so they are safer then traditional lighting products
One use of this new line of LED lights is the under cabinet lighting. This new lighting solution has been applauded for its energy savings, its slim half-inch profile and its ease of installation. In addition to under-cabinet lighting, there are also several LED products for spot lights, to replace incandescent bulbs and for the outdoors, including LED deck, step and accent lights.
Although LED lighting is in the spotlight, compact fluorescent lighting (CFL’s) continues to make important improvements as well. There are now hundreds of energy-efficient fluorescent fixtures in a variety of finishes and designs for every area of the home.
Making efforts to go green and make energy efficient home improvements doesn’t have to mean sweeping changes. We can start with simple changes such as saving time and money with energy efficient lighting and help the environment at the same time. Next time you go to buy bulbs make a greener choice and look for CFL’s or LED’s.
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Ader posted on July 1, 2009:
Energy efficient lights and the way of the future aren’t they.
Trolrx posted on July 2, 2009:
I really like these new light but are they safe I’ve been hearing things.
Prep posted on July 2, 2009:
This is becoming a big thing isn’t it.
Terre posted on July 3, 2009:
Green your Living is a good blog and has helps me to think about things differently.
Fioria posted on July 3, 2009:
Energy efficient lighting is a great way to save energy but is it safe?
Green Your Living » Energy Conservation Helps you Go Green and Puts Money in Your Pocket posted on July 4, 2009:
[...] Replace the conventional bulbs in 5 of your most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR and you will [...]
Tom posted on July 5, 2009:
This is important and I think we need to switch to these new types of bulbs. There are always critics.
Florida posted on July 6, 2009:
This is what I’m wanting to do and that is make my living more green.
Meg posted on July 7, 2009:
I haave been hearing some not so good things about these bulbs or at least the CFL.
Emme posted on July 8, 2009:
Today’s efficient Light bulbs do save a lot of hydro but I’m not convinced they save me money because of how much they cost.
Nolin posted on July 9, 2009:
I really am not sure about these lights I am hearing some not so good things.
Hermin posted on July 10, 2009:
These new florescent lights work good but now you hear they may not be good for your health. Maybe the LED’s will be ok.
Oned posted on July 11, 2009:
Using these new efficient light bulbs is the way to go. I don’t see any problem.
Hayden posted on July 13, 2009:
Energy efficient lighting is really catching on and that’s a good thing from my perspective.
Cody posted on July 13, 2009:
Thanks for the good blog. I’m trying to make changes.
Harma posted on July 14, 2009:
I am trying to green my living a little more each week. Thanks for the help.
Hana posted on July 15, 2009:
These new led lights better be better than the florescent ones.
Macy posted on July 16, 2009:
Our light do eat a lot of energy and this is a good way to save some energy.
Dess posted on July 18, 2009:
I think the LED lights sound like they will be a winner but the florescents have got to go.
Donne posted on July 19, 2009:
Having energy efficient lights does a lot and I am a total believer.
Seaff posted on July 20, 2009:
Energy efficient lighting is an important step and it really take no effort as we all have to change the light bulbs once in a while.
Hydro save posted on July 21, 2009:
You can really save by using these energy efficient lights. We all should be using them.
Chip posted on July 23, 2009:
Replacing all the bulbs in your house with energy efficient bulbs just makes sense to me. Thanks for the help.
Ana posted on July 24, 2009:
Energy efficient lighting is certainly the way to go and the costs have come down too so they aren’t that bad.
Hepe posted on July 25, 2009:
Energy efficient lighting is the way we all should go as far as I am concerned.
Porton posted on July 27, 2009:
We are often thinking of the efficient factor but having lights that are green not only in their energy consumption is also important.
Bod posted on July 30, 2009:
Good article and I think your absolutely right.
DiscoD posted on July 31, 2009:
Energy efficient lighting is certain one thing that is easy to do.
Sally posted on August 1, 2009:
I find this easy but going green is not an easy path.
Vic posted on August 2, 2009:
changing out some light bulbs what easier is there to do?
Rama posted on August 4, 2009:
having energy efficient bulbs in our house is the only way to go.
Peter posted on August 7, 2009:
Changing and using these kind of bilbs is such an easy thing to do there is no excuse for anyone.
Tina posted on August 8, 2009:
Boy there is no easier way to start making a difference than changing the light bulbs you use.
Etna posted on August 9, 2009:
these new light bulbs sure make a difference don’t they.
Molloy college. posted on August 12, 2009:
You have a good site here and I will be back.
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Ceine posted on August 16, 2009:
Energy efficient light bulbs are so easy to use and effective at reducing energy consumption I don’t understand why people take so long to get the idea.
Bonne posted on August 17, 2009:
The fact that we can do this easily makes me wonder why more aren’t doing it.
Hocodal posted on August 18, 2009:
I have been using cfl bulbs now for a few years and they work great and have saved me a lot of money.
Hydi posted on August 28, 2009:
How you conserve electricity doesn’t matter. Doing it does.