10 Ways to Conserve Energy on Lights

Change Habits

• Changing habits is a free and easy way to reduce all types of energy consumption. Turn off the lights when you are not in a room. This includes turning them off as you leave a room you won't be immediately re-entering. Use daylight only when the daylight through windows or skylights provides enough light. Try seeing how long you can go without turning on the lights each afternoon or evening.

Buy New Bulbs

• Using the most efficient type of light bulb for the task reduces the extraneous energy demand of most light bulbs. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs. Use light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs for strings of lights and exit signs for brighter bulbs that use less energy and create less heat. Change bright outdoor lights to low-voltage versions after ensuring the new lights still provide enough visibility, or use sodium bulbs for flood lights to increase efficiency.

Install Gadgets

• Simple devices can be used to reduce the time the lights are on. Using dimmers reduces the energy required to light a room when the light is not at maximum capacity. Install motion detectors to illuminate areas where fumbling for a light switch is impractical, such as outdoors or in public restrooms. Because the lights shut off when no one is present, motion detectors greatly reduce energy use. Use timers in areas that only need to be lit at certain times, such as porches or driveways.

Renovate

• Though more noticeable and costly, altering a building can have profound effects on energy consumption. Paint rooms in lighter colors so you do not need as much illumination. Pale walls reflect light better than dark-colored walls. Remove excess lighting, particularly multiple lights on the same switch. Offices, in particular, tend to use more fluorescent lights than are needed to light the room, so remove extraneous ballasts or switch to task lights and lamps to avoid using all of the overhead lights.