How to Reduce Your Home’s Lighting Energy Use: Fixtures, Smart Controls & More

When homeowners think about reducing their home's energy use, lighting may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the way your home's lighting is designed, controlled, and used can affect both energy consumption and your monthly utility costs. And saving energy doesn't necessarily require replacing every light in your home. The fixture, how long a light stays on, and how your lighting is controlled can all make a difference.

From occupancy sensors and timers to dimmers and smarter lighting controls, there are ways to make your Denver lighting more efficient without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Here, Bell's licensed Denver electricians provide some of the upgrades worth considering.

1. Start With the Fixtures You Use More Frequently

A light that's switched on for 10 minutes a day isn't as impactful as one that stays illuminated for hours. Consider prioritizing the fixtures that are used the most.

• Kitchen lighting
• Living room and family room fixtures
• Exterior and security lighting
• Bathroom fixtures
• Home office lighting
• Landscape and accent lighting
• Ambient safety lighting

2. Install Dimmers Where You Don't Need Full Brightness

A dimmer switch allows you to adjust light output based on the activity, time of day, or mood. Lowering the light level can also reduce the amount of electricity the fixture uses, depending on the lighting system and control. They can also make a home more comfortable in the evening by allowing you to reduce bright overhead lighting.

Dimmers can be particularly useful in areas where soft lighting, uplighting or night lighting is used:

• Dining rooms
• Bedrooms
• Living rooms
• Media rooms
• Kitchen 
• Bathroom

One important consideration: Not every fixture, lamp, or lighting system is compatible with every dimmer. If you're replacing an existing switch with a dimmer, make sure the control and lighting system are designed to work together.

3. Use Occupancy Sensors Where Lights Are Frequently Left On

How many times have you walked into a room and found that someone left the lights on? Occupancy sensors can solve that problem automatically. These controls detect movement and turn lights on when someone enters a space. Depending on the type of control, they can turn the lights off after a period of inactivity.

For spaces that aren't occupied continuously, automatically shutting off the lights can eliminate a surprising amount of unnecessary run time. They're especially useful in areas where people tend to come and go quickly, including:

• Bathrooms
• Laundry rooms
• Closets
• Garages
• Basements
• Utility rooms
• Storage areas
• Hallways

4. Consider Vacancy Sensors for Rooms Where You Want Manual Control

Occupancy and vacancy sensors sound similar, but there's an important difference. An occupancy sensor can turn the lights on when it detects someone entering the room. A vacancy sensor generally requires the homeowner to turn the lights on manually, but automatically turns them off when the room is no longer occupied. A better option in bedrooms, offices, or other spaces where you don't necessarily want the lights turning on automatically every time someone walks through.

5. Put Exterior Lighting on Timers or Astronomical Controls

Outdoor lighting can be particularly easy to leave on longer than necessary. Porch lights, landscape lighting, security lighting, and other exterior fixtures may remain illuminated for hours when nobody needs them. Timers can help, but homeowners have an even smarter option: astronomical timers and controls. These controls automatically adjust lighting schedules based on sunrise and sunset rather than requiring manual adjustments. That means your outdoor lighting can operate according to the season without you resetting the schedule.

6. Use Motion Controls for Security and Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting doesn't necessarily need to remain on all night. Motion-activated controls can turn certain lights on when movement is detected and shut them off after a predetermined period. This can be especially useful for:

• Side yards
• Driveways
• Walkways
• Garages
• Back doors
• Entryways

7. Automate Your Lighting With Smart Controls

Smart lighting controls elevate the concept of timers. Depending on the system, homeowners can create schedules, control lighting remotely, group multiple fixtures together, and integrate lighting with other smart-home devices. Some systems can also be controlled through a smartphone or integrated with a broader home automation system. You might create schedules that:

• Turn exterior lights on around sunset
• Turn selected lights off at bedtime
• Turn lights on and off while you're away
• Reduce lighting overnight
• Coordinate multiple fixtures throughout the home

8. Don't Forget About High-Use Exterior and Garage Lighting

Garages, workshops, driveways, and exterior spaces can operate for long periods, particularly when they're controlled by a simple wall switch. Consider whether these areas would benefit from:

• Motion sensors
• Timers
• Photocells
• Astronomical controls
• Smart switches
• Dimmers where appropriate

9. Photocells Can Keep Outdoor Lights From Running During the Day

Outdoor lighting doesn't need to be on when the sun is shining. A photocell detects available daylight and can automatically turn exterior lighting on when it gets dark and off when daylight returns. Photocells can be useful for:

• Exterior wall lights
• Security lighting
• Parking-area lighting
• Landscape lighting
• Pathway lighting

10. Think About the Fixture — Not Just the Bulb

Lighting efficiency isn't solely about what's installed in the socket. The fixture itself affects how effectively light is distributed throughout a space. Sometimes the most effective upgrade isn't simply changing the light source. It may be improving the overall lighting design. When evaluating your home's lighting, consider:

• Is the fixture in the right location?
• Is it providing enough useful illumination?
• Are multiple fixtures being used because one fixture isn't doing the job?
• Could a different fixture provide better coverage?

A smart switch or control can provide automation while allowing you to continue using the fixture's existing lighting configuration. This can be particularly useful for permanently installed fixtures, exterior lighting, and situations where multiple lights need to be controlled together.

A licensed Denver electrician can help determine whether smart bulbs, smart switches, timers, sensors, or another control strategy makes the most sense for your home's existing electrical system. If you're considering lighting or electrical upgrades, Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical can help you evaluate your options and determine which improvements make sense for your home.

Because when it comes to energy use, smarter control can be just as important as the light itself.

Call (303) 731-5469