“Going green” has become a catchall phrase that includes making lifestyle choices to lessen the negative impact on the earth. The fact that it’s common and even trendy to hear this phrase now speaks to the fact that we are more aware than ever about how humanity is collectively affecting the environment. Many people find themselves wondering how they can lower their carbon footprint and lessen their impact on the earth’s natural resources. One habit that’s easy and beneficial to incorporate into your daily life is environmentally friendly lighting or green lighting, and it’s proving to be more than just a lifestyle trend for the moment. Incandescent bulbs are a thing of the past, and eco-lighting is getting more advanced in function and design as time goes on. Here are five reasons that the push for green lighting is staying put for the long run.
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Lower Cost to Operate
As a consumer, it’s much more agreeable to spring for a green practice that doesn’t strain your pocketbook to implement. Environmentally friendly lighting can save your hard-earned money in the long run. There’s an up-front cost to switching out your old incandescent lighting for more modern compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs), but they cost less to operate. Energy.gov says that by replacing the five most heavily used light fixtures in your home with ENERGY STAR-rated bulbs, you can save as much as $75 per year.
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Bulbs Last Longer
It’s always an inconvenience when you go to flip a light switch and nothing happens, or when a flash indicates that an old bulb has burnt out in a dramatic fashion. Homeowners who would rather spend their time on something besides shopping for and replacing light bulbs will be pleased to know that eco-conscious bulbs last longer than traditional lighting sources. As LEDs Magazine writes, LEDs last five times longer than any competitor, with an impressive life of 50,000 hours or more. Incandescent bulbs last for 2,000 hours on average. The difference is stark and means you’ll spend less time craning your neck trying to screw in delicate glass bulbs.
No More Overheating
Suitable lighting is primarily necessary to help us see what we’re doing and to create dimension in our living spaces. Why do incandescent bulbs of the past release up to 90 percent of their energy as heat? It’s simply not efficient, and you’ll notice that LED lights generate significantly less heat, even when they remain on all day. According to LED Light Ideas, this not only extends the lifespan of your LED Lighting products, but it also helps you avoid a fire hazard.
Modern Design Options
It’s a functional and financial choice as much as any to make the switch to green lighting, but jumping on the environmentally friendly train doesn’t mean sacrificing beautiful fixtures, customizable ambiance, and artistic license. Many designers are offering energy-efficient LED lights inside boundary-pushing fixtures that will add class and mood to any room. When you look at beautiful low voltage pendants from Tech Lighting, it’s easy to see how going green can augment your style and keep your living space up to date in every way.
Respecting the Earth with Green Lighting
Sometimes lifestyle changes feel like nothing more than a tiny drop in the bucket but consider this. The Independent cites a study from the International Energy Agency with some heartening news: “The low-energy light bulb and other efficient lighting systems could prevent a cumulative total of 16 billion tons of carbon from being added to the world’s atmosphere over the next 25 years.”
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Incorporating environmental lighting design into your home is an investment for the future. Making the switch to green lighting solutions can rack up benefits over time for your décor, wallet, and for Mother Earth.