Electric > Tucson Electric Power > Lighting

Lighting and Other Electrical "Vampires"

Lights, stereos, computers and televisions are sometimes referred to as "vampires" because they're so often left on, calmly using electricity. Worse, much of that power is converted to heat, fighting the cooling system all summer.

Lighting generally accounts for only 10 percent of your electrical energy use. Still, you can trim your watts by reducing the number of lights, turning off lights when not in use and installing more efficient lighting and controls.

• Use correct wattage. Six 25-watt bulbs provide the same light as one 100-watt bulb, but six bulbs use more energy than one.
• Dirt absorbs light, so keep lights clean.
• Turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room.

Fluorescent versus Incandescent

Conventional, screw-in incandescent light bulbs are inefficient and have a short life. Fluorescent lighting is more expensive to purchase but much more economical to operate. The miniature U-shaped fluorescent tube and ballast lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent light bulb and delivers about the same amount of light for one-fifth the energy.

Incandescent bulbs are still usually the best choice when you can substitute lower-wattage bulbs in multiple-fixture settings and when using an energy-saving lamp.

More Light-saving Ideas

• Install a rheostat, or dimmer switch, for control of the light level and energy usage.
• Install a motion sensor that turns on the lights when someone enters a room.
• Install timers or motion sensors outside where continuous lighting is not needed.