In the Caribbean darkness sets in quite early, hence the energy consumption of lights is high. In each room of the house there are one or more lights. Some are lit for a short period of time, but others are turned on for nights and days. This costs a lot of energy. Below you will find a number of easy to follow hints and tips to save on your light consumption.
Paint the room in a lighter color
By painting the walls, ceilings and floors in a light color, you can get more from the incoming light. Because lighter colors reflect the light you need to use fewer lamps thus saving on energy. (Go to `Working with colors’ for further information)
Install motion (sensor) lights
Handy motion (sensor) lights allow for the lighting not to be turned on unnecessarily. Installing such a light in the garden is ideal. You do not need to leave the outside lights burning all night. Only when someone passes by this motion (sensor) light will be lit. These types of lights are also advisable for the safety of your home. (Go to “Safety’ for further information).
Use the sun
The sun is a free source of light. Therefore consider the layout of certain quarters in the house. For example, you could easily place your desk by the window in order to receive lots of outside light. Hence, you do not need to use additional lights while working.
Use of energy-saving lights or Fluorescent lighting
Energy-saving lights or fluorescent lighting are long-lasting and consume less electricity. An energy-saving light is relatively expensive to purchase but will last ten times longer than ordinary lights.
With fluorescent lighting the difference in the consumption of energy is even bigger. Place these lights in areas where the lights are turned on frequently. Having these lights in the house is not very cozy but in working areas and sometimes in the kitchen, fluorescent lighting is ideal. In areas where lights are often switched on and off, it is not handy to install fluorescent lighting. Keep in mind that by switching the lights on and off, lights lasts less long.
Do not touch halogen lights bulbs
Greasy hands ensure that grease comes on to the lamp. This grease will create a hot spot on the bulb surface when the bulb is turned on. As a result the life span of halogen lamp is drastically shortened.
Paint the room in a lighter color
By painting the walls, ceilings and floors in a light color, you can get more from the incoming light. Because lighter colors reflect the light you need to use fewer lamps thus saving on energy. (Go to `Working with colors’ for further information)
Install motion (sensor) lights
Handy motion (sensor) lights allow for the lighting not to be turned on unnecessarily. Installing such a light in the garden is ideal. You do not need to leave the outside lights burning all night. Only when someone passes by this motion (sensor) light will be lit. These types of lights are also advisable for the safety of your home. (Go to “Safety’ for further information).
Use the sun
The sun is a free source of light. Therefore consider the layout of certain quarters in the house. For example, you could easily place your desk by the window in order to receive lots of outside light. Hence, you do not need to use additional lights while working.
Use of energy-saving lights or Fluorescent lighting
Energy-saving lights or fluorescent lighting are long-lasting and consume less electricity. An energy-saving light is relatively expensive to purchase but will last ten times longer than ordinary lights.
With fluorescent lighting the difference in the consumption of energy is even bigger. Place these lights in areas where the lights are turned on frequently. Having these lights in the house is not very cozy but in working areas and sometimes in the kitchen, fluorescent lighting is ideal. In areas where lights are often switched on and off, it is not handy to install fluorescent lighting. Keep in mind that by switching the lights on and off, lights lasts less long.
Do not touch halogen lights bulbs
Greasy hands ensure that grease comes on to the lamp. This grease will create a hot spot on the bulb surface when the bulb is turned on. As a result the life span of halogen lamp is drastically shortened.