Mercury and CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs)

Why should people use CFLs? Switching from traditional light bulbs (called incandescent) to CFLs is an effective, simple change everyone in America can make right now. Making this change will help to use less electricity at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change. Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent […]


In depth: Advantages of LED Lighting

Part 2 of Advantages of LED Lighting. Directional Light Emission Traditional light sources emit radiant energy in all directions. As such, an optical system—a lamp housing or a luminaire, with elements such as a reflector or lens—is typically necessary to direct output in the desired direction. Because no optical system is perfectly efficient, losses in […]


Advantages of LED Lighting

Part 1 of Advantages of LED Lighting. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are often touted for their energy efficiency and long life. Although these are important considerations, selecting a light source should involve many other factors. Let’s explores some of the unique attributes of LEDs, which may make them the best choice for a many applications. Financial […]


Renewable Heating and Lighting RESOURCES

Part 14 of Buying and Using Renewable Energy at Home. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ACEEE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. ACEEE provides publications and guides on making your home more energy efficient. Alliance to Save Energy […]


Energy Efficiency with Lighting

Part 6 of Energy-Efficient Lighting. Lighting represents 20% to 25% of the electricity consumed in the USA. An average family spends 5% to 10% of its energy for lighting budget, while businesses consume 20% to 30% of their total energy for lighting only. In a residential or commercial lighting installations, 50% or more waste of […]


Lighting Principles and Terms

Part 2 of Energy-Efficient Lighting. In choosing the best lighting options, you must understand what basic lighting is. This page explains the terminology used in the industry, which will help you better understand the language that you might hear in a lighting store. Illumination A lumenis a measurement of the light of a lamp, often […]


Energy-Efficient Lighting

Part 1 of Energy-Efficient Lighting. The quantity and quality of light around us determine how well we see, work, and play. Light affects our health, safety, morale, comfort, and productivity. Lighting also directly affects our economy. As a nation, we spend about one-quarter of our electricity budget on lighting, or more than $37 billion annually. […]


Get Your Power from the Sun

Part 1 of Get Your Power from the Sun. Are you thinking about buying a solar electric system for your home or business? If so, this story provides some basic information that can help you. Solar electric systems, which are also called photovoltaic or PV systems, are reliable and pollution-free. They make use of a […]


Energy-Efficient Appliances

Part 5 of Elements of an Energy-Efficient House. Appliances with relatively high operating efficiencies are usually more expensive to purchase. However, higher efficiency appliances provide a measure of insurance against increases in energy prices, emit less air pollution, and are attractive selling points when the home is resold. Home buyers should invest in high-efficiency appliances—such […]


Save Energy by Cooling Your Home Naturally

Part 7 of Cool Your Home Naturally. Using any or all of these strategies will help keep you cool. Even if you use air conditioning, many of these strategies, particularly reflecting heat and shading, will help reduce the energy costs of running an air conditioner. However, adopting all of these strategies may not be enough. […]


Reducing Heat-Generating Sources

Part 6 of Cool Your Home Naturally. Often-overlooked sources of interior heat gain are lights and household appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, and dryers. Because most of the energy that incandescent lamps use is given off as heat, use them only when necessary. Take advantage of daylight to illuminate your house. And consider switching to […]