Tightening your belt?

We are all trying to cut costs where we can. One area that saps a huge part our income is energy costs. This has left me looking at all sorts of ways to lower our energy bills.

Consider these tips to lower lighting costs~

Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use 75 percent less energy than typical incandescents, and they last 10 times longer.

Look for a compact fluorescent wattage that’s about one-third of the incandescent wattage you usually use.

Use lighting control devices like dimmers, motion detectors, occupancy sensors, photocells and timers to provide light only when you need it.

Keep lamps away from thermostats; the heat produced can cause your furnace to run less than needed or your air conditioner more than needed.

Dust light fixtures regularly. A heavy coat of dust can block up to 50 percent of the light output.

Use only a single bulb in a multi-socket fixture. Be sure to check the maximum wattage the fixture allows.

Replace an incandescent outdoor light or high-intensity floodlight with a high-pressure sodium fixture. The bulbs will last longer, use less energy, and handle temperature extremes better.

Use low-voltage lighting kits to light walkways, patios and decks. The soft light will also attract fewer annoying insects.

Decorate with pale colors on walls, ceilings and floors. Soft tones reflect more light, so you can use lower wattage bulbs and delay turning on lights until later in the day. Using high-gloss paint can help as well.

Read light bulb packages carefully. Watts measure the amount of energy needed; lumens measure how much light a bulb produces. Energy-saving bulbs produce more lumens per watt of electricity used.