If you want to save energy and money, you should do periodic checks in your home. Many homes have outdated lighting and need to upgrade in order to cut down on energy costs. But when do you upgrade? Even if your house is up to the latest building code standards, you should start by looking at your fixtures.
Everyone using incandescent lighting is wasting money and therefore it is important to replace all old bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. The main problem with regular light bulbs is that most of the energy they need is turned to heat instead of light and that is also the reason why they have to be off when replaced or they are too hot and will burn the skin.
CFL give off the same light, with less wattage than a regular bulb. While you are replacing them, you should be looking at the fixture itself. If they are old, or cracking or if they sound like their shorting out when you turn on a light, you should replace the whole fixture. Not only is it wasting money, chances are if it's making sounds, there may be a short somewhere, which could cause a fire.
All fluorescent lights need a ballast to operate. The ballast alters the electrical current and makes the gas activate inside the tube. In the old ballasts, which were of a magnetic mechanism, you would get a buzz, and possible flickering of the bulbs. This old system was not only noisy, but are also way less efficient, because of the moving parts. New CFL have electronic ballasts built inn eliminating buzz and wavering lights.
If you still have and are using incandescent lighting or old version ballast fluorescent you might find it helpful to call in a professional to assess your lighting and they can tell you what you need. Also, in many areas there are energy assistance agencies that will pay for part of the cost of replacement. You can find out more information by checking with local agencies.
The main question asked is when lights need to be upgraded and quite simply, they should be replaced whenever a new technology is developed and made available. Even if you cannot afford things right away, it is best to stay informed on all the latest developments and know the advantages.
You might feel that it is expensive, but you can start of small, like replacing all those old bulbs with CFL. While you may think that these are a little expensive, but you will see a significant savings on your next power bill.
You can find out more information on when and how to upgrade your lighting through many sources, both online and in your community. If you are not familiar with all these new technologies, you should really educate yourself. Get familiar with the terminology, study up on the different kinds of lights available, CFL's, and even LED lights are available. One thing that is important for your safety, if any of your fixtures are acting like there is something wrong, replace them immediately, or you may have a fire on your hands.
Author Resource:
For those who are specifically looking for verilux lighting products, there are many places to choose from. Most will also offer a selection of outdoor lighting goods.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")