Does outdoor security lighting use a lot of electricity, and how can I save while still protecting my home and property?
Q. Is it a good idea to turn off lights when leaving a room?
Don't they use more energy when they are first turned back on?
A. You should turn them off. Incandescent or fluorescent lamps do not use any
additional energy at start-up.
Q. I've seen compact fluorescent bulbs in stores and they
seem quite expensive - will they really save me money?
A. Although the initial cost is quite a bit more than standard incandescent
lamps, they last up to ten times as long and use only about one-quarter of the
amount of electricity to provide the same amount of light. Over the life of the
bulb, the reduced energy costs combined with reduced replacement costs make
compact fluorescents an excellent investment.
Q. Will compact fluorescents provide the same amount
and quality of light as regular (incandescent) light bulbs?
A. As long as you use the correct size or wattage, you will get the
same amount of light, and today's compact fluorescents have a much better
quality of light and color rendition than old fluorescents - you really
should not notice a difference.
Q. Can compact fluorescents be used in all
types of fixtures?
A. There are several different types and shapes of compact
fluorescents available that should fit most fixtures. In some cases
an adapter may be necessary.
Q. Do the "energy saver" or "energy miser" type
of incandescent bulbs save as much as compact fluorescents?
A. No, but they do use less than standard incandescents, so they
are a good option in fixtures that will not accept compact fluorescents.
They also last longer than standard incandescents, but nowhere near as long
as compact fluorescents.
Q. Does outdoor security lighting use a lot of
electricity, and how can I save while still protecting my home and property?
A. Electric use will depend on the wattage of the lights and hours
of operation. Since outdoor security lights are typically higher in wattage
than indoor lights, the cost can be significant, particularly if a large
number of high-wattage lights are used. You can save by limiting the hours
of operation with timers, photocells or motion detectors.
