The lighting we use in homes, offices and industrial sites all use energy. It is a given that the less energy we use, the smaller our environmental footprint and there are now a range of “green” lighting solutions which can not only help to cut down on energy consumption, but to lower power bills as well as benefit our health.
Changing from normal 100 watt bulbs to a 32 watt CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) not only saves a substantial sum on power bills (about 16 GBP per bulb per year) but also saves energy. It has been estimated that if every home in the USA changed only one light bulb to a CFL, the effect on minimising pollution would be similar to removing 1 million cars from the road. CFLs also do not generate heat and last up to ten times longer than an ordinary bulb.
An even newer more energy efficient development in lighting technology is the LED (light emitting diode). These LED bulbs can come in a variety of shapes so there is no need for a shade, and can change brightness and even colour, and may be touch operated as they do not generate heat. There are currently only a few LED devices available on the consumer market but expect to see them increase in profile over the next few years.
Depression, cancer, auto-immune disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes have all been linked to a lack of exposure to natural light which affects your vitamin D and immune system, as well as your sleep cycle and hormones.
It sounds simple, but in fact the best, cheapest and most “green” light form is the sun. You can save energy costs through design by making as much use of natural light as you can. Install windows and skylights or even translucent wall panels to lighten a room, or use the latest in solar technology: a Sunlight Transport Device. This is a solar panel which is placed on the roof and funnels the sunlight via fibre optics to different rooms. The energy can also be stored and used at night via fluorescents.
Go green, and reap the benefits, not only in monetary terms, but for your health and the health of our planet as well.
Changing from normal 100 watt bulbs to a 32 watt CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) not only saves a substantial sum on power bills (about 16 GBP per bulb per year) but also saves energy. It has been estimated that if every home in the USA changed only one light bulb to a CFL, the effect on minimising pollution would be similar to removing 1 million cars from the road. CFLs also do not generate heat and last up to ten times longer than an ordinary bulb.
An even newer more energy efficient development in lighting technology is the LED (light emitting diode). These LED bulbs can come in a variety of shapes so there is no need for a shade, and can change brightness and even colour, and may be touch operated as they do not generate heat. There are currently only a few LED devices available on the consumer market but expect to see them increase in profile over the next few years.
Depression, cancer, auto-immune disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes have all been linked to a lack of exposure to natural light which affects your vitamin D and immune system, as well as your sleep cycle and hormones.
It sounds simple, but in fact the best, cheapest and most “green” light form is the sun. You can save energy costs through design by making as much use of natural light as you can. Install windows and skylights or even translucent wall panels to lighten a room, or use the latest in solar technology: a Sunlight Transport Device. This is a solar panel which is placed on the roof and funnels the sunlight via fibre optics to different rooms. The energy can also be stored and used at night via fluorescents.
Go green, and reap the benefits, not only in monetary terms, but for your health and the health of our planet as well.