Friday, December 19, 2008

3 Easy Steps to Cut Down on Home Energy Costs

While there is no way of getting around the monthly electric bill, there are ways to cut the cost we put into our homes for electricity. Investing in ‘green’ lighting options such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star light fixtures will help alleviate the pressures that we have been feeling from money. Within this article, you will find three quick ways to not only put a discount your next electric bill but also to support and maintain the environment.

1. Fill Light Fixtures with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs): Everything from accent lamps, ceiling fans, and kitchen pendant lighting comes with a screw in light bulb and if it is best to replace your existing incandescent bulb with a fluorescent light bulb. The latter has been proved to outshine up to thirteen incandescent light bulbs. While fluorescent bulbs may be more expensive to buy, the added cost ends there. With a bulb life of 10,000 hours or more, you won’t have to constantly replace your fixtures as regularly as you would with an incandescent light source.

2. Install Energy Star Light Fixtures: Energy-saving lighting options come in all styles and are perfect for any light source whether indoors or out in the garden. Once you think of all of the light that you use in one day, you may think differently when you are faced with the choice of Energy Star lighting or regular lighting. From bathroom exhaust fan lights and outdoor porch lights to under cabinet lighting and wall sconces, there are many ways to save on energy costs within your home. Energy Star lighting products use about 75% less energy to shine through your home than regular lighting options.

3. Take Advantage of Natural Light During the Day: Whether you are redesigning a home or starting from scratch in a new house, position furniture near windows in order to get optimal natural light exposure. Pull back the curtains and let the daylight serve as your main light source for the day. Install a dimmer or panel control on your wall to set lights on a low level to keep lights cool and use less energy in a particular space in your home. In addition, position interior accent lamps near popular reading corners or loveseats so that specialized lighting can be used for a particular task and energy won’t be wasted in lighting the entire room.

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