Energy Saver Light Bulbs

1. Compact fluorescent bulbs

Compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFL bulbs, may cost a bit more per bulb when you purchase them, but they will prove to be much more cost efficient as well as energy savers over the long haul.

* CFL bulbs last ten times longer than the average incandescent.
* A single compact fluorescent bulb can save over $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime.
* Can you believe that CFL bulbs save 2,000 times their own weight in carbon emissions?

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

2. Try a Different Wattage.

100 watt light bulbs are not always the best choice.
Choose your lighting by the room. Energy saver light bulbs come in different wattages, use this to your advantage!

Some rooms need lots of bright lighting. Over the vanity in your bathroom for example. You will want to be able to see your face clearly before you put on make-up or shave. In the kitchen over your cutting area is another place you may want to have bright light.

Other places will not need such bright lighting. On the side table you can probably use a 60 watt light bulb in your lamp. In your hallway, a lower wattage will usually suffice. In you have a light strip or several lights in a room, you may want to consider the total wattage being used, and whether you can use lower wattage bulbs to still reach your desired light level. Another place to think about is your closet, you probably don't need high voltage fixtures in your closet.

Different Wattages of Light Bulbs

3. Dimmer Switches

So a dimmer switch is NOT a energy saver light bulb, but it is a simple change you can make to your lighting to save money. You can even combine it with your energy saver light bulbs!

If you don't need all 100 watts blasting, then a dimmer can reduce the amount of energy pulled from a light fixture. Great places to put a dimmer are in bathrooms, kitchens and dining rooms and even in your living room if you use overhead lighting.

Dimmer Switches

4. Add Motion Sensors

Add motion sensors to your energy saver light bulbs. These are great for outdoor lighting because they turn on only when there is movement. Motion sensors can also help add a measure of security to your property as they turn on whenever anyone moves. Of course if you live in an area with a lot of animals, you may find that the animals trigger them more often than you do!

Places to use Motion Sensors:
* porch lights
* over the garage
* back patio
* walkways
* driveways
* sheds

Motion Sensors

7. Use Timers

Energy Saving light Bulbs save even more with the help of being on a timer. Timers are a great way to have lights turn on and off when you're away. Timers are great for when you go on vacation.
Many people, when they go on vacation, leave the lights on. Instead of wasting all that money and energy, put lights on a timer.

Timers are great for everyday use too. Try setting a few of your house lights on timers. If you are out late, the timers will turn lights on for you, and you will return to a home that is already lit up. What about late at night, when you are getting ready for bed? A timer can be set to turn the lights off a little bit after bed time, allowing everybody plenty of light to get through the house and off to bed safely.

Timers for your lights

5. Solar Lighting

Solar lighting is another great option for both indoor and outdoor lighting.
Solar panels can be used to provide energy to internal lighting.
Solar lights can be used outside to light walkways, porches, pools, fountains and other outdoor features. Stand alone solar powered lights can be quite easy to find at just about any store with outdoor decor for your home.

Solar Lighting

6. Passive Solar

Try using passive solar for a no-cost lighting solution.

Passive solar means letting the sun light your home.
Whether it's through strategically placed windows, skylights or solar tubes, the sun can do a tremendous job of lighting your home for free.
While some of these ideas require a bit of planning and possibly construction, sometimes all you have to do is to remember to open the shades and let it in.

Sky Light Panels, Sky Light Tubes, and more

I hope that I have been able to spark a few ideas for you. Just incorporating a few of these energy saver light bulbs and other tips can cut down your energy bill by quite a bit. At the same time, you are contributing to a healthier planet for everyone.

Enjoy the savings and your contribution to a greener planet.