Manufacturers are designing LEDs into many products that formerly used incandescent, halogen,
fluorescent or neon lights. Products available today include:
OPEN/CLOSED SIGNS
These signs can be operated manually
or with remote control and use only 8
watts of energy, compared to 140 watts
used by neon signs.
LIGHT BULBS
These range from decorative flame-tip
bulbs for outdoor coach lanterns and
chandeliers to reflector floodlights
for indoor and outdoor use to MR- 16
mini-spotlights for track and recessed
lighting. They use up to 4. 5 watts of
energy, compared to 45 watts used by
incandescent and halogen bulbs.
TIPS & TRICKS
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DESK LAMPS
LED desk lamps, with small and
fashionable lamp head designs,
consume 6 watts of energy or less,
compared to 60 watts used by
incandescent and halogen bulbs.
OUTDOOR COACH LANTERNS
LEDs can be operated with motion and
dusk-to-dawn controls and provide a
beautiful decorative light effect. These
use only 6 watts of energy, compared
to 120 watts used by incandescent and
halogen flame-tip bulbs.
PUCK LIGHTS
These small lights can be mounted under
kitchen cabinets, over workbenches and
inside curio cabinets and entertainment
centers. They can be powered through
an outlet or by batteries.
OUTDOOR SOLAR LIGHTS
These low-voltage lights are used in
landscape pathways and in gardens.
They use only 5 watts of energy.
USING A FAN TO COOL OFF
AIR CONDITIONING IS a lifesaver when
the humidity and the temperature climb.
But running an AC unit consumes
considerable energy.
Once the air conditioner has done its job
and a room’s air environment is at a humane
level— 72 to 78 degrees F and 35 to 60
percent humidity, according to the American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)—consider
switching off the AC and turning on a fan.
With moderate air movement, the comfort
range of a room can be extended to 82
degrees, ASHRAE says. And each degree
you are able to raise the thermostat will
save 3 to 5 percent on air-conditioning costs.
Set an oscillating fan near the corner of a
room so that it can easily sweep side to
side, but not so close that it picks up and
circulates dust from the walls or corners.
Variable speeds allow you to adjust the
amount of air movement preferred, with
lower speeds using less energy. A timer
will let you set the fan to run in a bedroom
at night and shut off in the morning.
A handy remote control will also save
energy—yours—as you won’t need to
get up to turn on the fan. A
