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Lowering Electric Bills

It isn't just heating bills that are rising - energy bills across the board are spiking this winter. The winter solstice is behind us, but the days are still short - meaning we turn the lights on earlier and leave them on longer. Lighting accounts for about a quarter of all electricity used in the U.S. Here are some ways to lighten the energy load while keeping your home bright:

Make the switch to CFLs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer than regular incandescent light bulbs.

Switch it off. Turn the lights off whenever you leave a room. This goes for the television as well.

Crank it up. Have you ever gone into a seldom-used closet or storeroom, left with your hands full – and forgotten to turn off the light? Installing a spring-driven crank timer (available at many hardware stores) limits how long a light is left burning – a great help for the forgetful!

Stay secure. Instead of leaving a porch light or lamppost on, use outdoor security lights with motion sensors. Occupancy sensors work in a similar manner to switch on lights in an infrequently used room, then turn them off after it’s been vacated.

Make use of the sun. Photocells respond to natural light levels, turning lights off at dawn, then on again at dusk. Solar lights use the sun’s energy to power outdoor lighting and save you the trouble of turning them on and off.

Go au natural. Use window treatments that let in lots of light. Install skylights if you can afford it.

Don't light up a room. Instead of flooding an entire room with artificial light, use task lighting when working on crafts, a desk lamp in your home office, or a table lamp on an end table or nightstand when reading or watching TV.

Keep it low. Reserve bright lights for reading or working. Use lower wattage bulbs when you want to leave a light on for a family member coming home late or a guest unfamiliar with your home’s layout.

Try “mood” lighting. Dimmers reduce the wattage and output of incandescent light bulbs and significantly increase their lifespan. Safe, supervised candlelight is a romantic – and energy-saving – way to light up a dinner for two.

Keep it clean. Dingy walls don’t reflect light very well, making rooms “feel” darker. Keeping walls clean, freshening up the paint and making sure fixtures and bulbs stay free of dust will brighten a home without adding more energy-burning lights.