Benefits of Eco Lighting

Gasp. What did I just say?! 

During a home styling consultation I suggested halogen lights in the family room so that the family could dim and brighten the space. 

I believe in green styling. My condo that I rent out as a corporate apartment is colored with eco paints, run on 100% wind power, is set up for recycling, and all the light bulbs were replaced with CFLs. Why in the heck was I suggesting halogen–an energy hog of the home?

The eco alternatives to incandescent bulbs and halogen lamps are CFLs and LEDs. Unfortunately, neither of these eco alternative lights has a great ability to dim (I’ve heard dimmable CFLs make noise). 

The way to get around it? Use low wattage and more lights. For ambiance turn on only a few lights. Why bother?

Facts

If you change five incandescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, you’ll save: 

Enough energy to:

•Run your ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator for over 4 years

Enough money to:

•Buy a new ENERGY STAR light fixture

•Purchase 94 swirled ice cream cones 

•Buy candles for 63 romantic dinners

source: EnergyStar.gov

HAVE YOU SWITCHED OVER TO EARTH FRIENDLY LIGHTING YET?