Upgrading your home’s lighting can do more than transform the space into a well-lit area with modern fixtures; energy-saving lights can also save you money on your electricity bill. Modern lighting choices like LEDs use only a fraction of the electricity of older bulbs to fill your home with brighter and more dynamic light (they also don’t generate as much heat, which can also save you money on your A/C).
At Kish & Sons, we’re here to help you save money and love your home’s lighting. That starts by giving you clear-cut information about the advantages of new lightbulbs, and what different lighting options have to offer. If you decide it’s time to revamp your home with new energy-efficient lights, call us to schedule an appointment or to get a free estimate. We’ll walk you through energy-efficient light options so you can choose your favorite approach to save on your electric bill.
New Lightbulbs: What’s the Difference?
New lightbulbs—such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), incandescent bulbs, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs)—offer many advantages over older lighting options like incandescent bulbs. If you want to know how to save on your electric bill, upgrading your home’s lights is an effective strategy. Those advantages include:
- Longevity: Modern lightbulbs are built to last much longer than incandescents. Even bulbs with the shortest lifespan last about three times longer than conventional bulbs, and LEDs can last up to 25 times as long.
- Energy efficiency: New lighting will reduce the amount of energy your home consumes. Your lights will use only a fraction of their previous levels, all while maintaining or even improving the amount of light in your home.
- More dynamic lighting: Smart light bulbs are becoming increasingly popular. With these bulbs, you can control the brightness, warmth, and even the color of your home’s lighting through an app. Change the lights based on your activity or mood, or set up your lights on a schedule.
Wondering, “Why is my electric bill so high?” Older incandescents use a lot more energy than today’s products. Even if you’re not ready to make a big change, switching out older incandescent bulbs for newer ones can make a big difference in your energy bill.
What Are My Lighting Choices?
Homeowners have four main options for lighting their homes:
CFLs
Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, are like an eco-friendly twist on conventional incandescent bulbs. They are energy efficient and feature the same technology as linear fluorescent bulbs, just twisted into a conventional bulb shape so they can fit into traditional light sockets. CFLs come in a wide range of color temperatures, from warm and orangey light to cool blue-tinted light at 6500 Kelvin.
However, the light will discolor over time, and the light is generally harsh. Most CFLs also require a warm-up period of up to half a minute before they’re at full brightness.
LEDs
Light-emitting diodes are the optimal standard for modern energy-saving lights. They have a very long lifespan and require only about 10% of the energy needed for older lighting. They don’t generate heat, instantly turn on to full brightness, and offer homeowners a wide range of design possibilities. For example, you can add directional lighting, task lighting, lights with different colors, and more. LEDs are also dimmable and can be programmed to create personalized, ideal lighting conditions in your home.
Halogens
Halogen bulbs produce a bright, sunny white light and can last over twice as long as conventional incandescent bulbs. Halogen bulbs are also small and affordable, making them popular for homeowners who want to slowly switch away from incandescents. They use approximately 70% of the energy of incandescent bulbs; however, there are more efficient energy-saving lights to consider.
Incandescent
Incandescent lightbulbs are a versatile option that many homes already have. They’re easy to install, generate quite a bit of light, and can be used with dimmable fixtures. However, many homeowners are switching from old incandescent bulbs to more energy-efficient and dynamic light options.
Revamp Your Lighting System With Kish & Sons, and Save on Your Electricity Costs
If you’re looking for ways to save money, Kish & Sons is here to help. Switching to energy-efficient light fixtures and lightbulbs is a great way to save on your electric bill. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and receive an estimate for your lighting upgrade.
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