How to Improve Lighting Efficiency | Teems Electric

Our Teems Lighting division has helped hundreds of companies big and small reduce their utility bills and environmental footprints by improving lighting efficiency. If you’re looking to do the same at home, we have some great advice that may help.

While not all the knowledge we’ve picked up along the way transfers from expansive warehouses and factories to townhouses and family homes, some can. Plus, our residential team knows more than a thing or two about improving efficiency for families all across southeast Tennessee and northeast Georgia.

Tips for Cutting Lighting Energy Use

  1. Turn the lights off. Don’t believe that old myth about how turning the lights off and then turning them back on a short time later uses more energy than just leaving them on; it’s a myth in most situations. Turning off the lights when you don’t need them to be on is the easiest way to save money on lighting. There is no demonstrable benefit to leaving the lights on, so flip the switch and cut some kilowatts.

  2. Upgrade to more-efficient bulbs. While making this switch in one fell swoop when your bulbs still work may not save enough money to offset the cost of wasting that bulb life, upgrading as bulbs burn out can help. While compact fluorescent lights (CFL) were the hot innovation just a few years ago, some issues with them and the introduction of even more efficient options mean they have competition now, chiefly from LED lights. That transition illustrates another advantage of biding your time as you replace bulbs: The technology develops so rapidly now that you may be able to get more efficiency or longer-lasting options just by waiting for your existing lights to burn out.

  3. Use timers and motion sensors as you’re able. The easiest way to ensure lights get turned off when they aren’t needed is to have them turn themselves off when they aren’t needed. Beyond these older solutions, modern smart home solutions enable you to turn off lights and appliances remotely, which is great if you leave something on as you rush out the door on vacation.

  4. Capitalize on daylight. Whether it’s through skylights or just leaving the curtains open during the day, opting for sunlight over switching lights on is a great way to cut lighting energy use. But we also recommend that you keep blinds and curtains closed during the day in warmer months to cut HVAC demand, so what’s the balance? UV-blocking window films can cut HVAC utility costs by 30 to 40% while also protecting furniture and fixtures from fading and letting in natural light.

For any size project, the experts at Teems Electric are ready to serve and have the know-how to help improve lighting efficiency in both residential and commercial buildings.