5 Lighting Tips to Save Energy and Money in Your Home

This article about tips to save energy is sponsored by Lighting Design.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Turn off your lights 

Seems obvious enough, right? Turning off your lights will save you money on your utilities and reduce your carbon footprint. Check before leaving your home to ensure all the lights are off. 

You can also take advantage of nature’s lighting resource, the sun! Open up the blinds and curtains to allow in the natural light. It helps improve your mood and encourages you to keep your lights off. 

Use task lightings such as under cabinet lighting or lamps

Under cabinet lights use less energy than overhead lights. They are commonly used in kitchens under cabinets to provide more efficient lighting. The light reaches all the way back on your work surfaces so you can see better as you cook or clean. 

Lamps are another way to save on energy and overall cost. Smaller lamps let you clearly see what you’re working on or reading. 

Switch to LED lights

LED lights are more energy efficient and emit the same amount of light as a standard lightbulb. By switching to LED, you can save up to $225 a year in energy costs. Not all LED lights are a cool blue anymore! LEDs have advanced over the years, giving off different colors and temperatures. LEDs still let you set the right mood to match the use of the room. 

Photo: Adobe Stock

Use your ceiling fan to save energy

Your ceiling fan is an excellent resource for energy savings. It can help you cool or heat a room using wind flow to transfer heat or AC around the room. 

In the winter, running the fan clockwise helps distribute warm air. When it’s warm outside, run it counterclockwise to cool it down. Doing this can cool your room by up to 4 degrees. 

Use timers and dimmers 

In addition to efficient light bulbs, consider using controls such as timers and dimmers to save electricity. Timers automatically turn lights off by following a schedule that you set. That’s convenient if you forget to turn them off before you run out the door for work or school. 

Some smart features even allow you to turn off the lights remotely. That way, you can check when you get to the office or while running errands to ensure they are turned off.  

You might also consider using motion detector lights for your outdoor lighting. Motion detectors only turn on if something is moving nearby. That eliminates the need to leave them on while you sleep at night.   

Dimmers are installed on the light switch and are used to lower light levels. If you are using a dimmer, be sure to select one that is compatible with the bulbs you are using.

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This is a sponsored article brought to you by KSL TV in conjunction with the advertiser. The advertiser paid a fee to promote this article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of KSL TV, its parent company, or its staff.