Americans see a dimmer future not because of global destruction, but because dimming lights bulbs help save energy.
Light bulbs are often not considered a large expense by many people. If every homeowner in America installed one energy-efficient lightbulb in their existing light fixture, it would save the country $600 million and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to 800,000. cars annually.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency, an organization based in Boston, has created a plan that will cut down lighting energy by half by 2012. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency is a non-profit based in Boston that encourages customers to buy fixtures with Energy Star certification. This designation was established by the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy, to highlight products that adhere to strict environmental standards. Dimmer switches are another energy-saving option.
Dimmers reduce wattage, which extends the life of bulbs and lowers electricity bills. Easy on the eye, dimmers also make it easy to use. Monty Gilbertson, Lighting Design by Wettsteins, LaCrosse (Wis.) is a Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC). “Dimmers allow for greater flexibility in lighting product selection and allow multiple uses of a room.”
Hosts can dim the lights so that guests feel at their best when they are hosting a dinner party. The host can create an elegant atmosphere by dimming the lights during dinner. “It’s nice to be able to bring the lights to full strength again with the flip of a switch,”Karen Engle, CLC, Zanger Associates, Inc., Eldersburg, Md.
There are three main types of lighting that Americans use: incandescent, electronic low-voltage, and magnetic low-voltage. All of these can be dimmed easily.
There are many types of dimmers. One or two wall box dimmers can be used to dim one or more lights. Scene lighting dimmers, on the other hand, allow homeowners to dim multiple lights from a single panel. The whole-house system can control all lights in the home using a single panel. Motion sensors sense movement and turn the lights on or off.
Visit this website to learn more about lighting design or find an American Lighting Association member store near you. www.americanlightingassoc.comOr call 800-BRIGHT IDEAS
