Guide to Making Your Home More Energy Efficient with Lighting
Lighting plays a big role in your home's energy use. Many homeowners still link brightness to wattage, but advances in lighting technology have redefined that relationship. With the rise of LEDs and high-efficacy bulbs, it’s now possible to get the same brightness while using far less energy.
In this guide, we’ll clarify the difference between lumens (light output) and watts (energy used), explain what lighting efficacy really means, and walk you through practical steps and tips to make your home more energy efficient using lighting.
Understanding Lumens vs Watts
For years, people chose light bulbs based on watts because they thought the more watts meant the brighter the light, but this isn’t true. The difference between lumens and watts is that:
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Lumens measure how bright a light is. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
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Watts measure how much energy a light uses. The lower the watts, the more energy efficient a light is.
Here's an example: a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens. A LED bulb also produces about 800 lumens, but it only uses 10 watts, which is about 85% less energy usage for the same light brightness!
What Is Lighting Efficacy?
Now that we understand lumens and watts, we can talk about efficacy.
Lighting Efficacy = Lumens ÷ Watts
Lighting efficacy tells you how efficient a bulb is, the higher the number, the more efficient the bulb. Why does this matter? The more efficient your lighting is, the more you reduce your home's carbon footprint, and it will help you save on electricity bills!
Typical efficacy ranges:
Energy-Efficient Lighting Guide: Choosing the Right Bulbs
When comparing bulbs, always look at three specs: lumens, watts, and efficacy.
Here’s a simplified comparison:
Tip for choosing bulbs:
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Match lumens to your room's lighting needs. For example, most living areas use 800-1100 lumens.
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Use warm white (2600k-3200k) for cozy spaces (bedroom), and cold white (3200k+) for task areas (office & kitchen).
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Always check for an ENERGY STAR label for trusted efficiency.
Practical Tips to Improve Home Lighting Efficiency
There are easy ways that you can improve your home's lighting efficiency, here are some quick tips.
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Use natural light wherever possible. Natural light is free and incredibly effective at brightening up a space. To make the most of it, consider installing skylights, keeping your windows clean, and arranging your furniture to allow light to flow freely throughout the room.
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Utilize lighting controls. Install dimmers to reduce light and energy when it isn't needed. You can also add motion sensors that automatically turn lights on when someone enters a room and off when no movement is detected. This helps prevent wasted energy, even if someone forgets to switch the lights off.
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Replace old bulbs with LEDs. Start by gradually changing your most used lights with LEDs and just see how much energy you save!
LED Product Highlights
If you're looking for some inspiration, here are some of our best sellers.
Castle Glo Pendant by Seed Design: This LED pendant offers a minimalist statement, combining a smooth glass sphere with a raw concrete finish. Its simple silhouette and organic materials create a modern, sculptural presence that suits any space.
Illan Suspension by Luceplan: A sculptural statement in sustainable design, this ultra-light pendant features a flexible birch wood frame that gently expands when suspended. The glowing LED highlights its natural grain, creating a warm, layered ambience.
Nebra Pendant Light by New Works: This pendant combines classic pleated design with a flexible shade that adjusts effortlessly from ambient glow to focused light. Its durable LED core ensures lasting function with elegant form.
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Switching to energy-efficient lighting doesn’t just save money, it also helps reduce your environmental impact. By understanding the difference between lumens vs watts and learning how lighting efficacy works, you can make smarter lighting choices that benefit both your home and the planet.
If you are curious about colour temperature, check out our blog that talks all about it: Guide to Color Light Temperature
If you're feeling inspired by these lighting tips and want to incorporate more LEDs into your space, get in touch with our team! We’d love to help you with any of your lighting needs.
Call +1 (877) 577-9426 or email sales@casadiluce.ca