Tired of High Energy Bills? Replace Inefficient Lighting

There are a lot of ways to control home energy consumption, such as sealing air leaks, insulating, installing a programmable thermostat, and properly maintaining your HVAC equipment. Another smart way to slash energy usage in your Greenville-area home is to replace inefficient lighting and fixtures with the latest technologies.

Halogen Incandescent

These lights use 25 to 30 percent less energy and can last three times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. Halogen lights give off a familiar, warm glow because their technology is the same as old-fashioned bulbs, except that the filament is surrounded by encapsulated halogen gas. Although halogen incandescents meet the current minimum federal standard for energy efficiency, they are still far less efficient than other available lighting innovations.

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)

Fluorescent lights have been around in tube form since 1938. Modern curly versions that are made to replace inefficient light fixtures hit the market in 1995. They are available in a range of light tones, from warm white to yellow, and some are designed with a cover so they have a traditional bulb shape. They consume only a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs with comparable light output, and can last up to 10 times longer. Turning these lights on and off can shorten their lifespan, though, so it’s best to only switch them off if you are leaving a room for longer than 15 minutes. All types of fluorescent lights contain mercury, so it is vital to recycle them after use.

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

LED bulbs that use semiconductors to convert electricity into light are an evolving solid-state lighting technology. Today’s offerings consume just one-fifth the energy of incandescents and can last 25 times longer. You can find LED replacements for traditional incandescent and specialty bulbs in a variety of wattages. Although LEDs cost more up front, you will save on monthly utility bills over the long term thanks to their lower energy consumption and extra-long lifespan.

For expert advice about other ways to cut high energy bills in your home, please contact J & J Mechanical, Inc. at (888) 716-0052 in Greenville or (855) 800-1341 in Kinston. Our technicians can provide solutions and systems to help you save even more.

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