As we enter the autumn season, the days grow noticeably cooler and the sun a little less bright. During this time of year, we rely more on indoor lighting for our daily activities. Fortunately, this does not have to significantly increase your home’s energy usage. The energy-efficient lighting available today provides not only high-quality (and colour-diverse) lighting, but also requires less electricity and lower costs to keep the darkness of the colder seasons at bay.
At Astley Electrical, we can help you upgrade to energy-efficient lighting for your home or business. Let’s explore the benefits and lighting upgrade options that are easily at hand.
Energy-efficient lighting makes use of bulbs and lighting types that require less electricity for the same – and sometimes greater – amount of light compared to previous designs. Halogens are more efficient and brighter than incandescent bulbs, and LEDs are even more efficient than that. Energy-efficient lighting has come a long way in the last few years, now available in bulbs, industrial installations, and smart home decor, all at a fraction of the cost per lumen when compared to lighting of the past.
Not only is energy efficient lighting more eco-friendly and often longer-lasting per bulb, but you will also enjoy the long-term cost savings. Each light requires less electricity to light up your rooms and outdoor spaces. This will lead to full enjoyable hours in the autumn, winter, and early spring without the associated energy costs.
LED lights, in particular, are ideal for winter illumination. In the winter, days grow shorter, and dark comes quite early in the evening when our days are still full of activity. We need longer hours of lighting, and LED provides that without ticking up the energy bills.
LED lights also burn cooler and more safely due to the efficiency with which they transfer electricity into light. With very little energy lost to heat, LEDs are barely warm to the touch at full glow and never explode like incandescent and gas-filled tube lights have done in the past.
This leads to long winter conversations under comforting lighting in safety while also enjoying energy savings.
One of the marvels of LED lighting is its versatility. In addition to being very energy-efficient, LEDs have become the cornerstone of decorative smart lighting. From light bulbs that change colour to dazzling light strips, strings of fairy lights, and even light sculptures for walls and desks – “smart lights” as they are called are a delight all year and perfect for the holiday season.
You can set your lights to any colour and brightness you desire, typically controlled through an intuitive mobile app. Even better, these lights typically integrate with smart home automation. You can make use of voice controls and automated routines to set the lights just how you like them. You can also set up certain light patterns and colours just for your holiday parties – and special events all year ’round.
How can you maximise your energy-efficient lighting for winter? If you are looking for ways to fill each room with light after the sun fades (and before it rises again), you can carefully place your new LED lights.
Ensure each room has one central light fixture that can glow with one or two bulbs. Use open covers, as smart lights work best when not fully enclosed, and avoid light covers that cast shadows into corners of the room.
You can also give your rooms a pleasant, ambient glow by ringing the upper wall with an LED light strip, providing soft illumination that chases shadows from the corners and makes perfect theatre lights for movie night.
You can even set up your smart home lights to come on or slowly increase their brightness indoors as the sun is scheduled to set for optimal winter light and energy-efficient timing.
Is your home or business in need of light fixtures in rooms that are always too dark in the winter? Do you have fixtures that are exclusive to non-efficient bulb types? Astley Electrical can help. As experts in energy-efficient lighting upgrades, we can provide the services you need to enhance your indoor and outdoor winter lighting while enjoying the energy savings of the LED lighting innovation.
Let us take care of chasing away the shadows and the winter gloom with warm, energy-efficient, and even automation-friendly lighting upgrades. Contact us today to consult on your winter lighting needs.