Efficient Lighting

Dim lights

Daylighting, compact fluorescents (CFLs), and new light emitting diodes (LEDs) are today’s brighter ideas. What’s more, replacing old fashioned incandescent lights—which create more heat than light—can help you stay cool.

Daylighting

Nature provides the best light available—and it’s free. Take advantage of the sun’s natural rays with daylights and skylights. New technologies, such as the Solatube daylight (shown on the right) allow you to bring light into rooms that are not directly below the roof. These improvements also currently quality for a 30% federal tax credit as well.

Here’s a quick tip: consider several small skylights instead of one large skylight for better distribution. Daylighting resources are listed below.

Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)

Blue Planet calls CFLs the $100 solution—that’s the savings you can expect when you swap out an old-style incandescent (~60 watts) with a CFL (~13 watts). That’s why Blue Planet is trying to get CFLs in as many homes as possible with our CFL exchange program.

CFLs are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. They screw into standard lamp sockets and give off light that looks just like the common incandescent bulbs. CFL’s use 75% less electricity than the out-dated incandescent light bulbs and last about ten times longer (over 8000 hours instead of less than 1000 hours for incandescents). They also produce about 75 percent less heat, which reduces cooling costs and increases comfort.

Pick ones with a well-known brand name, UL-listed, and ENERGY STAR® logo for high quality and long life. More natural-looking and dimmable CFLs are also now available.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

The latest in lighting, LEDs are small, solid light bulbs which are extremely energy-efficient. New LED bulbs are grouped in clusters with diffuser lenses which have broadened the applications for LED use in the home.

Currently, the high cost of producing LEDs is a roadblock to widespread use (although they are cost effective when a long enough time horizon is considered). Researchers are finding new technologies to drive the price of LEDs into a more competitive range with CFLs and incandescent.

• LED light bulbs use only 2-10 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of an incandescent or CFL).
• LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescents.
• Since LEDs have no filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.
• LED bulbs do not cause heat build-up; LEDs produce 3.4 btu/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. This also cuts down on air conditioning costs in the home.
• Unlike CFLs, LEDs are mercury free; no mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs.