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Lighting your home

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LIGHTING YOUR HOME

The quantity and quality of light around us determines how well we see, work, and play. Light affects our health, safety, morale, comfort, and productivity. To understand and use lighting efficiently it helps to know a bit about the industry’s language.

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 A color temperature of 2,700-3,600 K is recommended for general indoor use.

Lighting terminology

Color rendition: How colors appear when illuminated by a light source is referred to as color rendition. Color rendition is measured on the Color Rendition Index (CRI) with a scale of 1-100. A CRI of 80 or higher is best for most indoor applications.

Watt: A measurement of the amount of energy needed to power a bulb.

Types of lighting

Lumen: Measure of a bulb’s light output. A 100-watt incandescent bulb produces about 1,750 lumens. Efficacy: The ratio of light produced to energy consumed. To determine the efficacy of a bulb, divide the number of lumens by the number of watts. The higher the efficacy, the more energy-efficient the bulb. Illumination: The distribution of light on a horizontal surface, measured in foot candles. Foot candle: One lumen of light distributed over a onesquare-foot area. Thirty to 50 foot candles is adequate for most homes and offices. Glare: Excessive brightness from a direct source of light, such as a window or bright light shining into your eyes, or reflecting off a shiny surface. Color temperature: The color of light is measured on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale.

S  tandard incandescent bulbs use a coil of tungsten wire that glows when heated by an electrical current – the same technology developed by Thomas Edison more than 100 years ago. Incandescent bulbs are the least expensive to buy, but are the most expensive to operate. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) phases out traditional incandescent bulb wattages (100W, 75W, 60W and 40W). They will be replaced by more efficient incandescent bulbs that produce the same amount of light at a lower wattage. The chart below shows the effective date and the new wattages. For more information on EISA and lighting, please visit energy.gov/energysaver/articles/frequentlyasked-questions-lighting-choices-save-you-money.

Effective Date

Bulb Type

New Maximum Wattage

Lumen Range (Brightness of bulb)

L  ower Kelvin temperature light (2,700-3,000 K) is classified as warm and appears more yellow to match incandescent.

January 1, 2012

100 Watt

72 Watt

1490 - 2600

January 1, 2013

75 Watt

53 Watt

1050 - 1489

H  igher Kelvin temperature light (3,600-5,500 K) is classified as cool and appears more white or blue.

January 1, 2014

60 Watt

43 Watt

750 - 1049

January 1, 2014

40 Watt

29 Watt

310 - 749

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LIGHTING YOUR HOME

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T  ungsten halogen bulbs are actually a form of incandescent bulbs. They are filled with gas and have a coating on the inside to reflect heat. They are more energy efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.

several hours per day provides the greatest savings. Typical uses include:

F  luorescent bulbs produce light from an electrical current running through a mixture of mercury and inert gases. They are 3 to 4 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs are available in many sizes and styles.  Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs are a type of Solid State Lighting that uses a semi conductor to convert electricity into light. They are super energy efficient and long lasting; up to 50,000 hours. That’s 12 hours a day for 12 years! Manufacturing improvements are lowering the prices and expanding the applications of LEDs. They are now available in clusters or arrays, making them more practical for household use.

Incandescent vs. fluorescent: Battle of the bulbs The standard incandescent bulbs that light your home cost the least to purchase, but the most to operate. A typical standard incandescent produces only 8-22 lumens per watt of electricity used, which means you have to use higher wattages to achieve the illumination you need. Ninety percent of an incandescent’s energy use is wasted as heat. Replace the five most frequently used bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR -qualified CFLs and save more than $70 every year in energy cost. Placing ENERGY STAR CFLs in fixtures where lights are on at least 15 minutes at a time or ®

F  amily or living room lamps K  itchen ceiling light D  ining room fixture B  edrooms lamps P  orch lights There is a CFL to replace almost any incandescent bulb style including globes, floods, 3-way, dimmable, candelabra and standard models.

CFL light quality CFLs have improved significantly since their early years. Back then, they were slow to light up, produced a pale greenish glow and a single bulb could cost up to $25. But today’s CFLs are not only energy-efficient, they also produce bright, quality light that rivals any incandescent. It’s the best of both worlds. CFLs are smaller, use 2/3 the electricity of their incandescent brethren, last up to seven years and produce light judged superior to incandescent bulbs. Make sure you select the correct size when replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs.

Choosing a CFL Incandescent Bulb (New maximum wattages in parenthesis)*

Replace with CFL Bulb

100W (72W)

23-26W

75W (53W)

20W

60W (43W)

13-15W

40W (29W)

9-11W

* See page 3

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LIGHTING YOUR HOME

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LED bulbs light the way of the future Although Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are new to most consumers, their uses are growing every day. Using between two and 20 watts of electricity, they outperform even CFLs in the energy efficiency department. LEDs are also durable, longlasting, cooler-running and are unaffected by cold weather. LEDs are becoming more affordable and wide spread. One area LEDs are making significant gains is with holiday lighting. Check out more information under Holiday Lighting starting on page 8.

Lighting Controls Lighting controls are the devices we use to turn lights on and off. The most common control is a standard wall switch. They’re simple and functional but require a person to activate them. As a result, unneeded or unused lights can easily be left on, consuming excess electricity.

Photocells Photocells turn lights on and off in response to light levels. They can switch outdoor lights on at dusk and off at dawn, automatically saving electricity during the middle of the day when outdoor lighting isn’t necessary.

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Timers Mechanical or electronic timers can be set to turn lights on and off on a particular schedule. You might plug a table lamp into a mechanical timer while you are on vacation so that the lights turn on and it appears someone is home.

Occupancy Sensors/Motion Detectors Occupancy sensors/motion detectors activate lights when there is movement in a specific area and turn them off after motion has ceased. They are most often used where lighting is necessary only when someone is present. They are becoming increasingly popular for homeowner use in basements, garages and stairways.

Dimmers Dimmers reduce the wattage and output of incandescent and fluorescent lamps. They allow you to vary the intensity of lighting and the amount of electricity used according to your needs. Not all CFLs are compatible for use with a dimmer. Look for bulbs specifically rated for dimmer use. Dimming bulbs also increases their service life and reduces energy use. However, if you plan to use a dimmer all the time on specific light fixtures, such as a dining room chandelier, you might consider replacing the bulbs with lower wattage bulbs without using a dimmer.

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LIGHTING YOUR HOME

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Daylighting Daylighting is the use of sunlight for indoor lighting purposes. Newer homes and buildings are often oriented to take advantage of natural light whenever possible. Even in existing homes, you can use daylighting by opening blinds when the sun shines and installing skylights to bring outdoor light into interior rooms.

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Operating Costs for Holiday Lighting Lighting

Watts of Electricity (when in use)

Hours Per Month

Average Cost Per Month ($.12/kWh)

Holiday lights (mini incandescent, 70/string)

28

120

$0.40

Holiday lights (mini LED, 70/string)

2.8

120

$0.04

Holiday Lighting

Holiday lights (medium C7) (incandescent, 25/string)

50

120

$0.72

The new superhero of holiday lighting is the LED bulb. LEDs use 90 percent less energy, last 10 times longer and feature superior durability when compared to the traditional incandescent bulb. Although the initial expense of LED bulbs is higher, the price has been dropping every year. Because LEDs last many years longer than incandescent bulbs, they are more economical over time. When compared head-to-head, it’s easy to see the energy–saving advantage of LED bulbs.

Holiday lights (medium C7 LED, 25/string)

1.25

120

$0.02

*Calculated using average rate of 12 cents per kWh

If you just can’t bear to give up your traditional holiday bulbs, choose five watt bulb rather than seven watt bulbs and you will still reduce your operating costs by 30 percent. Plugging indoor lights into an automatic timer is another way to save on your holiday energy use. No need to remember to turn off the lights when you leave the house or go to bed! Connect lighted outdoor decorations to a photocell to automatically turn them on in the evening and off during daylight hours.

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LIGHTING YOUR HOME

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Holiday decorating safety Many home electrical fires that occur during the holidays are caused by lights, extension cords, and candles. Keep your holidays happy and safe by remembering the rules of electrical safety and taking these precautions: M  ake sure all your lights and lighted decorations are safety certified. Look for a label that says Underwriters Laboratory Approved or UL Listed. K  eep a fire extinguisher handy and make sure smoke detectors are in working order. C  andles are the source of many holiday fires. If you must use them, use them carefully. C  heck all holiday lighting for cracked or loose sockets, exposed wires, or frayed or broken insulation before plugging them in. Place the lights on a non-flammable surface and plug them in for 10-15 minutes to check for any defects. Discard any strings that show flaws. P  rotect children and pets by using plastic safety covers on all unused outlets, and keeping cords out of sight and out of reach. A cord as short as 12 inches can strangle a child.

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W  ater real holiday trees every day to prevent them from drying out and becoming fire hazards. If you have an artificial tree, make sure it is fire resistant. M  ake sure lighted decorations and extension cords used outside are certified for outdoor use and plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. Keep electrical connections off the ground. F  ollow manufacturer’s guidelines on how many strings of lights can be safely connected together. D  on’t leave lights on while you’re asleep or away from home. D  on’t use metal staples or nails as fasteners for lights. This can damage the protective insulation covering the wires. D  on’t run extension cords across sidewalks or driveways. W  hen putting up your outdoor decorations, watch for overhead power lines and use extra caution when using a ladder in snowy or icy conditions.

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Alliant Energy is committed to helping its customers use energy safely and efficiently. If you’d like to learn more, visit our website at alliantenergy.com and check out other booklets:

 101 Easy Ways to Save Energy  Choosing & Using Appliances  Electrical & Natural Gas Safety  Energy-Efficient Landscaping  Heating & Cooling Your Home  Insulating & Weatherizing Your Home  New Home Construction  Powering Your Plug-ins You can also find great energy efficiency tips at powerhousetv.com. In Iowa and Minnesota, you can find more information about rebates and energy-efficiency programs available for Alliant Energy customers at 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268) or visit alliantenergy.com/rebates. In Wisconsin, visit Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy to find out about Cash-Back Rewards currently available in Wisconsin at focusonenergy.com or call 1-800-762-7077.

All information contained in this document is the general opinion of Alliant Energy and its affiliates and may not be beneficial in all circumstances. Alliant Energy and its affiliates are not liable in any manner, whatsoever, to any person or entity relying on or using the information contained in this document. Any person or entity choosing to rely on or use the information contained in this document does so at his, her, their or its own risk.

© 2013 Alliant Energy

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