Early one morning, you wake up, get out of bed, and flip on the light switch. Eureka! You have an idea. Replace your old, inefficient incandescent bulbs with new Energy Efficient CFL and LED Light Bulbs. These bulbs will not only help you save energy, but they will also lessen the impact on the environment and, in the long run, save you money on your electricity bill.
CFL and LED light bulbs have come a long way in the past few years. The costs have come down the color rendering has gotten much better to match the optimum color of an incandescent and halogen bulbs.
“We recommend a color of 2800-3200K which will provide a warm white rendering,” said TriStar Electric owner Dave Crawford. “The higher the ‘K’ value the more blue or cold it will look. This is fine for outdoor lighting, but you want 2800-3200K for indoor lighting.”
These bulbs will cost a bit more up front but the average user will surely see the cost saving immediately on their electric bill
Additional Benefits of CFL and LED Light Bulbs
- Cool to the Touch: Unlike incident and halogen, which get very hot very quickly, high efficiency bulbs burn much cooler when lit and are cool to the touch after several hours of use. This is not only a safety concern but the hotter bulbs can cause more stress on your fixture wiring, as well as affect your cooling costs.
- Lifespan: The average CFL is typically at least double the life of an incandescent bulb. LED bulbs also have a much longer lifespan. “We have seen listings for LED bulbs that last 30 thousand hours and up to 50 thousand hours in higher end bulbs,” said Crawford.
Energy Efficient Lighting Tip: Remember, you get what you pay for. “Buyer beware of lower quality bulbs that don’t list the color rendering and the hour life ratings,” warns Crawford. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
CFL and LED light bulbs are now available to fit most all sockets such as standard A19, candle style, MR16, interior and exterior flood bulbs of many sizes and wattages.
Switching your home’s lighting accessories and bulbs over to energy efficient solutions can be accomplished within a short time frame with the help of a professional electrician. Professional electricians are highly experienced and fully trained to install these fixtures and accessories.
Energy Efficient Lighting from TriStar Electric
Getting started can be confusing. But don’t worry. TriStar Electric is here to help. Our team is extremely knowledgeable about energy efficient lighting. Our electricians stay up-to-date on the most recent trends in the lighting industry. TriStar Electric also carries energy efficient lighting accessories, including dimmer switches, recessed lighting, and lighting controls.
Installing a dimmer (or dimmers) can save you money as well. When lighting is dimmed you use less wattage, which is what the power company uses to calculate your bill. This is why the lower wattage CFL and LED bulbs save you money right away, even without being dimmed. So just imagine the savings you will see if you install dimmers, as well.
Feel free to contact TriStar for your free in home lighting and energy saving evaluation in your home or business. We have helped thousands of homeowners switch from traditional to energy efficient lighting.
If you have any questions about Energy Efficient Lighting, please contact TriStar Electric, Maryland’s premier residential and commercial electrician, by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880 or fill out the contact form on our website. You can also follow TriStar Electric on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
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