Lighting is a very easy environmental fix to make a home greener. When looking at the prospects of switching to eco-friendly indoor lighting the key factor to consider is its green environmental rating. The best eco-friendly lighting will be Energy Star certified. The Energy Star standard means that the lighting source uses as much as 75% less energy.
Some of the best lighting options are created from recyclable materials like aluminum or glass. The classic designs for lighting from recycled glass or aluminum fixtures are endless, not to mention exceedingly friendly to the environment, because it means less in the landfill. The recyclable material used for eco-friendly lighting is also endless. Other materials used for sustainable eco-friendly lighting are metals, post-industrial waste products, and even harvested wood. The Westinghouse Aluminum Lighting & Ceiling Fans collection, available online, features a vast beautiful selection of indoor eco-friendly aluminum and glass lighting for all occasions.
For a more durable and long lasting eco-friendly lighting fixture option try copper light fixtures. Copper is 100% recyclable and has the ability to stand up to every occasion and durability challenge. For eco-friendly recyclable lighting options, there are a number of choices. There is everything from lighting for the sophisticated look to the urban look that will suit any indoor living space lighting decor needs. Some websites offer an online guide to lighting for room-by-room decorating ideas that will assist you with selecting the perfect eco-friendly lighting fixture for every room in your house. The finishing touches to your eco-friendly lighting fixture just might be lampshades. You can purchase lampshades in sustainable designs to suit anyone. There is a wide selection of eco-friendly lighting options from 4-Inch low voltage recessed Lighting to chandeliers. There are Energy Star qualified lighting fixtures in cabinet light, overheads, and many others. If all you need is a quick fix, here are a few things to try. You can use the lights in your home more efficiently by installing dimmer controls, motion sensors, and multiple switches. Most of these are inexpensive and easy to install. Placing two-way switches at all exits from rooms allows for lights to easily be turned off whenever someone leaves the room. Installing dimmer controls for incandescent lights will save both energy and money, because dimming your lights makes your bulbs last longer. Installing occupancy sensor switches in bathrooms, closets, and garages prevents lights from being left on accidentally. Make sure that the ones you use have built-in daylight sensors so that lights don’t turn on unnecessarily. Use timers, and daylight and motion sensors, to control outdoor lights. Try taking advantage of the sun even at night by using solar powered lighting for garden and/or security lights.
The home is a great place to begin being green by cutting energy use. There are many retailers that provide a green option for everyone. Be sure to check out the web and your local merchants for more ideas.
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