Lighting

Replace your energy inefficient incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights CFL's and Light Emitting Diode LED lights. The European Union is phasing out incandesescent ligt bulbs by 2012. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, Cuba and elsewhere are also working on such regulations. Details in Lightbulbs Poised for a Big Change, The NY Times 3.30.09.

CFL's cost more initially but the energy savings and longer life will save you money. CFL's may only be used in open lighting fixtures. They will burn out if placed in a closed fixture. Some CFL's are now available for use with a dimmer switch. The lighting sales table at the Wednesdays Lewisburg Farmers' Market on Fairground Rd. carries a wide selection of CFL's including dimmable and 3 way bulbs.

LED lights continue to be very expensive so you may want to start with LED night lights, LED flashlights, and LED bicycle lights. Lowes sells an under cabinet mount 5 LED light strip which plugs into a regular outlet, has an on/off switch, and uses 6 watts. Lowes also sells an LED desk lamp which uses 3.5 watts and a motion detector LED night light that uses only 0.6 watts. An LED motion detector light which also uses 0.6 watts may be ordered through Cole's.  This motion light emits less light than the one from Lowes. Cole's Hardware sells the Maaxima LED crank flashlight that runs by hand cranking rather than batteries. SunNight Solar offers BOGO solar LED flashlights. Walmart has a few styles of LED lights on website.

Use natural daylight whenever possible.

Turn off lights not in use.

Position seating so more than one person may read by one light.

Avoid light pollution which is excessive and inappropriate artificial light. Protect the night sky. Follow the recommendations of the International Dark-Sky Association.  Read their Information Sheets and Practical Guides to learn what lights are dark sky friendly as well as those to avoid. In a nutshell, only use exterior lights when  necessary, outdoor fixtures should be fully shielded keeping light shining downward, use time controls or motion sensors when possible. The four components of light pollution is well described by the IDA:

• Urban sky glow - the brightening of the night sky by over inhabited areas
• Light trespass - light falling where it is not intended, wanted, or needed.
• Glare - excessive brightness which causes visual discomfort. High levels of glare can decrease visibility
• Clutter - bright, confusing, and excessive groupings of light sources, commonly found in over-lit urban areas. The proliferation of clutter contributes to urban sky glow, trespass, and glare.