Up until fairly recently, lighting typically accounted for around 10-15% of the average household’s electricity consumption. This number has started to come down recently with the growth in popularity of LED lighting.
The US Department of Energy also took a major step forward in August 2023 when it fully banned the sale of almost all incandescent light bulbs in an effort to reduce energy consumption. There have also been a number of other recent advancements and trends that can help homeowners save even more on their lighting.
Higher-Efficiency LEDs
Since LED light bulbs were first introduced, they’ve been by far the most efficient type of lighting available. LED lights are typically 75% to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and around 25% to nearly 50% more efficient than most fluorescent lights.
Recent advancements in technology have allowed manufacturers to produce LED light bulbs that are even more efficient than those produced only a decade or so ago. LED technology continues to advance at a rapid pace to the point where some light bulbs can now produce more than 120 lumens of light per watt of electricity they use.
Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, can typically only produce around 10 to 15 lumens per watt. Compact fluorescent bulbs are more efficient and usually produce 50 to 70 lumens per watt, but this still doesn’t come anywhere near competing with the efficiency of LEDs.
The other great thing about LEDs is that they last far longer than any other type of light bulb. When LEDs were first introduced, many manufacturers claimed that their light bulbs would last for 15 to 20 years if used for around eight hours per day on average.
Unfortunately, many people found that these claims weren’t true and ended up needing to replace some of their LEDs in as little as five years or sometimes even sooner. This is another area where LED technology has advanced, as now you can find many LED bulbs that should actually last for 10 to 15 or potentially even 20 years.
Dimmable Lighting
Dimmable light fixtures and bulbs have been around for years, but are growing increasingly popular among people looking to reduce their energy usage and lower their carbon footprint. There is also a new type of dimmable light switch that is specifically designed for LED lights. Old dimmer switches were meant to be used with incandescent bulbs and supply much more power than LED lights need, which usually results in the LEDs having a far shorter lifespan.
Being able to dim your lights comes in handy during the many situations when it just isn’t necessary to have your lights on at full brightness—from eating at the dinner table to watching TV and relaxing with friends or family. There are also times when you may need a bit of additional lighting during the day, but not enough that your lights need to be on full.
Even though LED light bulbs are highly efficient, you can further reduce the amount of electricity they use by controlling them with a dimmer switch. Most dimmable bulbs can be reduced to around 25% of their maximum brightness, in which case they’ll use around 75% less energy. Even just keeping the bulbs slightly dimmed whenever it’s not necessary to have them on at full brightness will continually save you some money. While the savings may not be all that significant, they can still add up over time.
The only thing to note is that not all LED bulbs are designed to be used with dimmer switches. It’s not that they can’t be dimmed, but just that they typically won’t last nearly as long if controlled with a dimmer switch. As such, it’s important to make sure you buy dimmable bulbs or else you’ll likely find yourself needing to replace them within a few years at the most.
Smart Light Bulbs and Switches
Smart technology seems to be almost everywhere nowadays, but many people are still surprised to learn that there is such a thing as smart light bulbs and smart light switches. As with other types of smart devices, these bulbs and switches connect to the local Wi-Fi network and can be controlled remotely using a mobile app.
Not only can you turn the lights on and off using the app or set them on a timer, but you can also check the app to see which lights in your house are on. This helps to conserve energy since you can turn the lights off in unoccupied rooms remotely.
Another reason that smart lighting is becoming increasingly popular is that it can help improve home security. If you’re coming home after dark, you can use the app to turn your outdoor lighting on before you arrive. Setting different lights on a timer or randomly turning them on and off with the app also helps to reduce the chances of a break-in while you’re away by making it look like someone is home.
Smart light bulbs and switches both have some advantages and drawbacks. Even though smart switches generally require professional installation, they are typically still the more cost-effective choice—especially for larger rooms with multiple fixtures. Smart light bulbs give you more options for customizing your lighting, as you can turn each bulb on and off individually without impacting the other bulbs on the same switch.
You can also dim various bulbs or even change their color to create the perfect mood lighting for any situation. The only issue is that purchasing smart light bulbs to use throughout much of your house can be fairly costly. While some products are only slightly more expensive than standard LEDs, the ones with more options typically cost anywhere from around $25 to nearly $100 per bulb.
Occupancy-Based Control
Occupancy-based control is another form of smart lighting technology that is now getting used more and more to improve building efficiency and reduce energy usage. The concept is similar to many types of outdoor security lighting, as it uses motion sensors within a room that detect movement and can automatically turn the lights in the room on and off.
The difference is that traditional motion sensors have a set time limit—usually around 30 to 60 seconds—and will automatically shut the lights off if no movement is detected within this time. However, occupancy-based control allows you to use an app to program any time limit you want.
You can also use the app to override the motion sensor so that the lights stay on until you manually turn them off. That way, you don’t need to worry about the lights suddenly going out if you’re relaxing on the couch watching a movie or accidentally fall asleep.
Some manufacturers are also creating features that will send you a notification through the app if the lights are on for a set time and no motion is detected. This type of feature will let you know if someone accidentally left the lights on so that you can then shut them off through the app.
Call Us Today
Potts Electric is the name to trust when you need professional electrical services in the St. Louis Metro area. We specialize in smart home automation and offer a range of options to help you save energy and make your life more convenient. We can also help if you’re looking to upgrade your indoor or outdoor lighting or need any other installation or repair service. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
