Lighting
We need lighting for convenience and safety, but it’s responsible
for about 16% of a home’s electricity consumption
There are
many ways to conserve energy use, such as installing timers and
motion detectors where appropriate, using low-energy bulbs or
retrofitting older fixtures. Some of the best options are discussed
below. See eco-strata.com for links to more information on
lighting.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
Changing the light bulbs from the conventional incandescent kind
(that produce heat) to low-energy, CFL bulbs is one of the easiest
steps to take both in a condo/apartment, and in common and
public areas. CFL bulbs consume approximately ¼ of the energy,
and last 10 times longer. It’s a low-cost investment that quickly
reduces electricity consumption. They’re widely available and now
cost little more than traditional bulbs.
CFLs are best installed in fixtures that are used frequently and
left on for at least 15 minutes at a time (switching CFLs on and
off frequently can shorten their lifespan), so buildings’ common
areas, including outdoor patios and spaces, garbage rooms,
lounges and foyers – as well as in individual apartments and
condos – are all ideal locations for CFLs. Note that only certain
CFLs can be used in dimmable fixtures. Some people remain
sensitive to the bluer light given off by CFL bulbs, even though
their tone has improved greatly since they were first introduced.
Low wattage traditional bulbs (e.g., 40 watts) may be a practical
alternative.
CFLs do contain trace amounts of mercury — about 1/5 of what
you would find in an average watch battery — so used bulbs
should be recycled appropriately. See eco-strata.com for a list of
Lower Mainland retailers who take them back for recycling, and
for more information. Do note that, in many jurisdictions, more
mercury would be released by burning the coal needed to light an
ordinary incandescent bulb.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
An alternative to CFLs are LEDs, which consume even less
energy. LEDs are found everywhere from computers, to ambient
street lights, to flashlights. Screw-in LED bulbs that can replace
conventional light bulbs do exist, but are still difficult to find in
the Metro Vancouver region, and can be expensive. They can be
purchased online from a number of manufacturers.
Fluorescent lights
Fluorescent lights are the most common lights in schools and
in office buildings, and can be found in homes too. Newer ‘T8’
fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts are now the norm,
replacing the older T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts.
Pulse-start metal halide lights
Despite their sci-fi name, pulse-start metal halides are about
three times as efficient as incandescent bulbs. They offer high
light output per unit of energy, and a long lamp life. They’re ideal
for permanently lit areas such as underground parking areas, or
for lights that go on at night outside a building. More information
can be found at eco-strata.com.
High-pressure sodium lights
Primarily used for outdoor and garage lighting, high-pressure
sodium lights are an effective energy-saving alternative to
incandescent bulbs.
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