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| LED can be warm . |
We're all concerned with spending too much on our lighting bills, and more people are have environmental concerns regarding lighting and energy use. Here are some tips to keep your home well lit using energy saving alternatives that are also good for the environment.
1) Use fluorescent bulbs. They're nothing like the old style blue flickering bulbs of years past. New bulbs have a warm color and look more natural. Higher output in lumens per watt give you options for brightness, and they last up to 50,000 hours.
2)Try LED's where you need task light. Again, the old style LED bulbs were blue and cool. New ones have color rendering (CRI) options that provide soft, warm light, with high energy efficiency. B
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| The right positions are key to kitchen lighting. |
3) Use dimmers to control light output when the highest power is too much. Dimmers from Lutron and Leviton are available at big box stores for about $20.
4) Install occupancy or vacancy sensors. Never worry about turning off hallway, closet, bath, kid's room and garage lights again. With a vacancy sensor, you can have lights automatically turn off 5-15 minutes after the last person leaves the space. Occupancy sensors are even better; they turn on lights as people enter a room, and then automatically shut off when no one is present.
5) Position lights well. If the center of the room is lit and the walls aren't, it seems a little foreboding and less pleasant. Be sure your task lights reflect the counter or mirror, etc. and don't throw shadows.
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| A great place for an occupancy sensor. |