(NC) As the days get shorter, lights are turned on earlier and home electricity bills can start to creep up. Lighting accounts for an average of five per cent of an average home’s electricity consumption, but by following these easy tips from Hydro One you can keep your costs down.
- Place floor or table lamps in the corner of the room. The glow reflects off the walls and brightens the room.
- Dust lights bulbs and fixtures. Dirt can absorb up to half of the light produced.
- Look for lumens, not watts. Choose the bulb for the brightness you want. A 60W incandescent bulb is equivalent to a LED bulb with about 800 lumens.
- Flip the switch. Ensure the entire family turns off lights when not needed, even if only leaving the room for a short while.
- Use a timer on outdoor lighting or consider motion sensor lighting.
- Make the switch to LED lights. LED bulbs to use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
- Install dimmer switches to set different moods and save energy.
Find more tips at www.hydroone.com/lighting.
