How Does Your Lighting Affect Your Power Bill?

You probably don’t think twice about flipping on a light switch. It’s one of those things we do without realizing it. But lighting accounts for a bigger chunk of your power bill than you might think at first, especially if your home is running on outdated bulbs or you’re using inefficient energy habits. Before you can make mindful changes, you have to know exactly how your lighting affects your consumption. Here’s a breakdown:

Incandescent vs. LED

If you’re still using old-school incandescent bulbs, you’re probably paying way more for your lighting every month than you need to. Incandescent bulbs produce a significant amount of heat, which uses a ton of energy. LED bulbs produce a fraction of the heat, use over 75% less electricity and last way longer. While they cost a little more upfront, they more than pay for themselves in terms of energy savings throughout the years. An easy way to switch is to start with the lights you use the most often, slowly replacing the rest of your bulbs over time.

How Many Lights Are Being Used

Think about how many lights you have and how many you use. How often are they being used and for how long? A kitchen light that you flip on every now and then to get a snack uses significantly less than your living room light that stays on for hours while you relax or watch TV. Pay attention to how many lights you use and how long they’re running, as this is a simple way to spot where your usage is creeping up. It’s also worth noting how often you leave lights on in rooms no one’s using. To reduce energy waste, make it a habit to turn the lights off when you leave a room.

Outdoor and Porch Lighting

Outdoor lights are notorious for running longer than they need to. This happens because we often flip them on at sundown and leave them on until morning, sometimes even forgetting about them for days at a time. Motion sensors are useful for making sure porch lights aren’t running unnecessarily. Landscaping lights are also worth taking a look at. This includes pathway lights, spotlights on trees and accent lighting. While they’re great for curb appeal, they can also contribute significantly to your power bill. Adding timers to these light fixtures, along with your porch and security light fixtures, can shave off hours of unneeded runtime.

Smart Bulbs, Dimmers, and Timers

If you’re more of a “set it and forget it” type of person, smart bulbs and timers are your best friends. They let you automate your lighting so it turns off on a set schedule, even when you forget. Most smart bulbs allow you to control them from your phone for added convenience. Dimmers are another helpful tool for saving energy, as they allow you to use the exact amount of light you need instead of constant full brightness.

Natural Light

Everybody loves a free energy-saver, and sunlight is exactly that. Using natural light is one of the most energy-efficient lighting solutions and one of the easiest. Instead of turning on the lights in the morning, open the blinds and let the sunlight in. It’s a simple habit that takes little effort. Just be mindful of the extra heat that sunlight can bring in on especially hot days, and adjust as needed to remain as energy efficient as possible.

Flipping the light switch isn’t the only switch you can make to save energy. Switching to prepaid power helps you save even more on your electricity bills and gives you real-time insight into your usage. Ready to make the switch? Call (844) 621-2852 or contact Pronto Power, a Texas power company, online today to get started!