There are a number of ways to save energy in your home. By conducting a simple audit, homeowners can identify where energy is being used and where it’s being wasted. With a home lighting control system, you can reduce energy consumption, cut costs, and improve your lifestyle. We’ve put together a short list of eco-friendly facts and the benefits of installing lighting solutions in your New York home. Some are often overlooked and a few might even surprise you.
1. Lutron dimmers extend the life of your light bulbs
Typical light controls consist of a simple on/off switch, rather than a dimmer. Whether it is the middle of the day or late in the evening, each fixture emits the same amount of light. With dimming, you can reduce the amount of power to a lighting source, thus saving energy and extending the life of the bulb. All types of bulbs can be dimmed including halogens, CFLs and LEDs. Halogen bulbs can last up to 20 times longer when used with a dimmer, and dimming them 35 percent reduces energy use by 28 percent.
2. Lutron lighting control improves productivity and increases comfort
Through dimming, homeowners can easily control the quantity of light in a room to fit a specific task or create a special mood. This in turn not only improves ambiance, but also saves energy in the process. Plus, increased comfort levels lead to increased productivity.
3. Lutron contributes points to LEED building certification
Because Lutron lighting and shading controls save energy and minimize some environmental impacts, these solutions contribute 46 of the 110 possible points to attaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building certification.
4. Lutron shading solutions help harvest daylight
Managing electric light is just the first step to saving energy and reducing costs. Regulating the amount of daylight that enters a home is another important aspect of lighting control. By incorporating shades and dimmers, homeowners can strike the perfect balance between the two sources of light in order to save energy and create the right environment.
5. Lutron shading solutions help control heat gain
By automating your shades, Lutron and ACS can reduce heat gain from the summer sun and harvest heat in the winter months to minimize you HVAC dependence, thus reducing your energy usage.
6. Lutron solutions enhance safety and security
No more fumbling for the light switch as you attempt to unlock the door. Lutron’s wireless solutions allow you to turn lights on and off from the safety of your car with just the touch of a button. No one wants to arrive to a dark home or driveway. Dimmers installed by stairs and walkways can illuminate a path, making it easier to find your way at night. No longer will you need to leave outdoor lights on during the entire day. Lutron allows homeowners to schedule lights to turn on and off and set lighting levels based on the time of day.
7. Lutron sensors make saving money as easy as walking
An occupancy/vacancy sensor turns lights on automatically when you walk into a room and turns them off when you leave. These sensors are ideal for spaces where lights are inadvertently left on, such as a child’s bedroom or a home office. These sensors can save up to 20 percent in energy costs associated with lighting.
Energy efficiency is an essential element of today’s homes and businesses. Lutron Electronics and ACS have been providing energy-saving solutions for many years now and can recommend options to help your home or workplace become greener. Contact us to learn more.