Energy-efficient lighting is beautiful and will add warmth and radiance to your home while saving you energy and money. There are many choices in energy-efficient lighting. Traditionally, halogen incandescent were the most common bulbs, however compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become the bulbs of choice for energy-conscious customers. Although these bulbs can initially cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs, over their lifetime they save you money, because they use less energy. Certified CFLs use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent and LEDs promise equal or even better efficiency than CFLs and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Here are a few tips to reduce your lighting costs:

	Turn off lights when you do not need them.
	Replace incandescent lights with CFLs or LEDs. These are significantly more expensive to buy than regular lamps, but last many times longer, and have very low energy consumption for the same light output.
	Dimmer switches help reduce electricity consumption and provide attractive lighting.
	Timers and motion sensors reduce the amount of time lights are on, but not being used. Use photocells for exterior lights, set to turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
	Pay attention to the colour of light, this affects how bright it appears, even if the wattage/lumens are the same.
	Use one large bulb in place of several smaller ones.
	Light colored ceilings and walls reflect light, allowing you to use fewer or lower wattage lamps.
	Take advantage of the sun. Open curtains to allow natural light to brighten your spaces.
	Dimmer switches help reduce electricity consumption and provide attractive lighting. (Please note that not all bulbs are compatible with dimmer switches).

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	Try to keep your freezer and/or fridge full. Refrigerators and freezers operate more efficiently when they are full. It takes more energy to keep air cold than food. Leave enough space to allow air circulation, however, avoid overcrowding
	Do not put hot food in the fridge or freezer; always allow the food to cool first.
	Try not to leave the fridge door open for too long.
	If fridge/freezer is not frost-free, defrost regularly.
	When buying a new fridge or freezer, look for one that is labelled as an energy-efficient appliance.
	Refrigerators and freezers operate more efficiently when they are full. It takes more energy to keep air cold than food. Leave enough space to allow air circulation, however, avoid overcrowding.
	Check the temperature control. The refrigerator should be set at 36 to 38 degrees, while the freezer should be set 0 to 5 degrees.
	Locate your refrigerator/freezer away from heat sources such as the stove, an heating electric kettle, or direct sunshine. Allow for air circulation at the sides and top.
	Make sure door gaskets on your refrigerator/freezer seal properly. To check, take a five-dollar bill and close the door on it, if it pulls through easily, the gasket should be adjusted or replaced.
	Clean the condenser coils (found at the back or bottom of the refrigerator/freezer) two to four times a year. A build-up of dust reduces the efficiency of the unit. Be sure to unplug the appliance before starting to clean.
	If you have a manual defrost freezer, defrost it regularly. Frost should not be allowed to build up more than a quarter of an inch.
	If you have a frost-free refrigerator/freezer, keep all liquids tightly covered. Uncovered liquids evaporate causing a frost-free system to work harder.
	Only open the doors of your refrigerator when necessary.
	Keep in mind that frost-free models of refrigerators/freezers use more energy than standard models. Also, side-by-side refrigerator/freezers usually use more energy than a refrigerator/freezer with a top or bottom freezer unit. Upright freezers will use more energy than a chest type freezer.
	Foods that need thawing before being cooked can be thawed in the refrigerator. The food helps keep the refrigerator cool while growth of bacteria on foods thawed at room temperature can be averted.

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	Use cold water for laundry whenever possible.
	Wash only full loads, being careful not to overload the washer. For smaller loads, use the appropriate water level setting.
	Keep the lint filter on the washer/dryer clean.
	Do not overload the dryer. Clothes need room to tumble.
	Dry clothes in consecutive loads so the drum does not have time to cool down.
	Use the clothes line as much as possible, taking advantage of the sun's free drying power.
	Do not over dry clothes. Take them out while still damp if they are to be ironed. Natural fibers, such as cotton need to retain some moisture to prevent wrinkling.
	Match cycle with laundry type.(i.e. soiled, light knits, towels, etc.)
	Line dry clothes whenever you can. (Save up to 5%)
	When you need to use the dryer, run full loads, use the moisture-sensing setting, and clean the clothes dryer lint trap after each use. (Save: 0.5%)

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	GRENLEC supplies electricityat 50 Hz and 230 volts. For maximum energy efficiency and equipment life, buy equipment rated for this supply.
	Newer equipment, especially electronics, may be able to work with both 110 and 220/230 volts. Use at 230 volts to avoid transformers, which increase energy consumption
	Buy energy efficient equipment and appliances.
	When planning to build or remodel, plan for your energy needs and use construction techniques and products that promote energy efficiency.

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For your safety, use a surge suppressor with sensitive electrical equipment.  When buying a surge suppressor, ensure that you select one that covers the appropriate protective value for your equipment.

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