As a homeowner, you’re probably on the lookout for ways to save money on your utility bills. One great way to do this is by using energy-efficient lighting in your home.
Using light bulbs that comply with EISA (the Energy Independent and Security Act) standards save consumers nearly $6 billion in a year. EISA was passed by Congress in 2007 and required light bulbs to be 25 percent more efficient by 2012.
You have three choices for light bulbs that meet the EISA standards for energy efficiency in your home:
You’ll start spending less money on your monthly energy bills almost immediately when you select LED, CFL or halogen bulbs over traditional incandescent bulbs. That’s because traditional incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy to produce light. In fact, about 90 percent of the energy used with these bulbs is wasted as heat. Plus, the newer bulbs produce the same amount of light as the older bulbs but with less energy used.
The average consumer spends about $4.80 per year in electricity for an incandescent bulb, while spending $1 for an Energy Star LED, $3.50 for halogen, and $1.20 on an Energy Star CFL. Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs that have an Energy Star rating can save $75 each year.
When shopping for lighting, you can use new Lighting Products label and lumens to compare bulbs. Lumens are the measure for how much light you’re getting from your bulb. The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. A 1600-lumen CFL bulb is equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent bulb.
The Lighting Products Label includes information on the brightness of the bulb, estimated energy cost per year, lifespan, energy usage, and light appearance.
You’ll save about $6 in energy costs each year if you replace one traditional 100-watt incandescent bulb with an Energy Star CFL bulb.
If you’re unsure of what light bulbs to buy for your home, contact [apower] at [phone-no]. We’re happy to help you improve your energy efficiency.
Give us a call today to find out how APower can meet your electrical needs.