One of the most commonly asked questions is: are residential outdoor lights energy efficient?
This is an important question. For many families, managing energy bills is crucial to setting a budget and sticking to it. Long-term affordability is a key factor for us at Gemstone Lights, too.
The quick answer is this: yes, some types of residential outdoor lights are energy efficient, though not all outdoor lights are created equal. LED lights are vastly superior to other types of outdoor lighting, and our residential track lights and flood lights use LEDs to produce bright light with little energy wastage.
Why Are LED Lights More Energy Efficient?
The key to finding energy-efficient outdoor lights is to go for LEDs. We don’t just say this because they look good!
Let’s get into the science of why this is the case. LEDs produce light in a different way than other lights (like halogen or incandescent bulbs), and they waste up to 90% less energy, because they don’t lose energy via heat.
With incandescent lights, for example, electricity passes through a filament that has to get very hot to give off enough light. That heat wastes a ton of energy, which means you end up paying more on your energy bills.
LEDs are different. They produce light using electroluminescence, which is when light is produced when an electric current passes through a semiconductor. The end result? Bright lights, but no wasted energy through heat, which means lower bills for you. Plus, it’s better for the planet!
At Gemstone Lights, we use LEDs to create bold lights in the most energy-efficient way possible, which means you can enjoy your lighting all year—with no guilt or worries about the bills.
Money-Saving Energy Tips for Homeowners
It is possible to save money on your energy bills even if you enjoy beautiful outdoor lighting all year round. Of course, investing in the most energy-efficient permanent outdoor lights is a big part of that, but we have some other tips, too:
- Put your lights on a timer. You can use our app to set your residential outdoor lights on a timer, which means you won’t have to worry about remembering to switch them off and wasting energy that way.
- Turn the lights down just a little. The dimmer the lights, the lower the cost. Dimming your lights not only adds ambiance to your home but also lowers your bills a bit. The difference may be incremental, but it all helps. This is super easy to do using our Hub2 app.
- Teach your kids to turn the lights off! This counts for all lights, including your outdoor lights and your indoor ones, too. We know this can feel like an endless battle, but eventually, your kids will learn to switch the lights off when they leave a room, and this can save you all some money in the long run.
- Shop around for energy suppliers. There are 18 states that currently allow you to switch between providers for your electricity supply; this means you have the power to change if you think you could get a better deal. This could make a surprisingly big difference if you take the time to research. You can find guides online, like this guide from CNET, to make sure you transfer providers super smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Of course, there is an initial outlay when you decide to have residential outdoor lights installed. But once they’re installed, LED lights are the smart choice because they will save you money and prevent your household from wasting energy.
If you want to find out more, talk to one of our Authorized Dealers for a price quote!