Energy Efficient Lighting 
One kWh is enough energy to run one 100 watt bulb for 10 hours. An average home has approximately 25 sockets and
you can imagine how much energy is waster everyday.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are about 3 to 4 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Therefore if all 25 bulbs were
replaced with 15 watt compact fluorescent bulbs, the energy and money savings will be much.
By switching from incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent lighting the average consumer can save 50% to 80% in
electricity costs without any loss in lighting quality. The average compact fluorescent bulb lasts 8 to 10 times longer than
any incandescent bulb.
The full purchase price of the bulb will be paid back well within the 3 to 5 year life expectancy.
First generation CFLs earned a bad name with inadequate technology. For this reason many people think of unnaturally
bright lights and loud humming noises when they think of CFL lamps. Fortunately, CFL technology has greatly improved
since those days.
Expert Tips for Saving Energy with Lighting
Lighting accounts for 5- 10 percent of total energy use in the average home and costs Rs. 50 to 250 per month in
electricity. That's not a huge amount, but it's enough to justify doing something about - especially when the advantages of
energy-efficient alternatives are considered.
Simple Solutions
MAKE USE OF NATURAL DAYLIGHT
Nothing is nicer than natural light, and in terms of energy use, nothing' is more efficient. A single skylight or properly
positioned window can provide as much light as dozens of light bulbs during the daylight hours. To benefit more from
natural lighting you may need to rearrange your rooms. For example putting your favorite reading chair over by the south
window, or you may want to go to more effort and install one or more skylights. To help get that light deeper into the room,
you can paint your walls a light color and use reflective louvers or Venetian blinds.
REDUCE BACKGROUND LIGHT LEVELS AND RELY MORE ON TASK LIGHTING
You can save a lot of energy by concentrating light just where it's needed and reducing background or ambient light levels.
This strategy - called task lighting - is widely used in office buildings, but it makes just as much sense at home. Install track
of lower-level lights to illuminate your desk or the kitchen table where you do the study/work, and keep the ceiling lights
off.
SWITCH TO COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS
Most of the lighting currently provided by incandescent lights can be provided just as well with compact fluorescent lamps.
Replacing your incandescent lamps with compact fluorescents is the best way to save lighting energy in the average
home.
USE TUBE FLUORSCENT LIGHTING
The best tube fluorescent lamps with new electronic ballasts are a far cry from what most of us think of as fluorescent
lighting. In fact, they can provide very satisfactory (and energy-efficient) recessed lighting around the perimeter of a living
room, or overhead lighting in kitchens and bathrooms.
USE INCANDESCENT LIGHTS WISELY
Higher-wattage incandescent light bulbs are more efficient than lower-wattage bulbs. It takes two 60-watt bulbs or four 40-
watt bulbs to provide as much light as a single 100-watt bulb. In a fixture that holds several bulbs, you'll save by using a
single higher-wattage bulb instead of several smaller bulbs.
QUICK SUGGESTIONS
* Turn lights off when you leave the room, or install occupancy sensors.
* Install Energy-saving floodlights outdoors.
* Use solar-powered lights outdoors.
* Buy energy-efficient lighting equipment.

 By Anohar John