Tips on how to save energy.

Optimize energy efficiency: how you can best save electricity

With the correct selection of lamps and conscious use, you can contribute significantly to energy efficiency. This article focuses on how to save electricity compared to conventional incandescent lamps by using LED lamps. The type of lamp that we use in our houses and offices plays an important role in electricity consumption. Lamps, halogen lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps are the most frequently used lamps. In recent years, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have increasingly gained popularity due to their high energy efficiency and durability.

LEDs compared to incandescent lamps

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are a type of solid-state light (SSL) that convert electricity directly into light. They are much more efficient than light bulbs. An LED lamp only consumes about a fifth up to a third of the energy of an incandescent lamp to create the same amount of light. They also last much longer. While a typical incandescent lamp only lasts about 1,000 to 2,000 hours, an LED lamp can last 15,000 to 50,000 hours. In view of the factors mentioned above, it may not be surprising that LED lamps are more cost-efficient than incandescent lamps in the long run. Although they are more expensive to buy, make up for these costs again with their longer lifespan and their lower energy consumption. With average use, an LED lamp can save hundreds of euros in electricity costs over its entire lifespan.

"The greatest saving in lighting can be achieved by replacing incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLS) with LEDs. LEDs are not only more energy -efficient, but also last considerably longer than other types of illuminants. Also remember to replace the most frequently used lighting - the greatest savings can be achieved here."

How do you read a lamp packaging?

A lamp packaging contains a wealth of information that can help you, the right lamp for your needs.

Luminous medium packaging contains a lot of information that can help you select the right lamp for your needs.

Here are some important points that you should pay attention to:

Light output (lumen): This measures the entire amount of light that creates a lamp. It is a better indicator of brightness than the wattage. The higher the number of lumens, the lighter the light is.

Energy consumption (watts): This indicates how much electricity the lamp consumes. A lamp with a lower wattage consumes less energy and is therefore more efficient.

Life: This indicates how long the lamp lasts with average use. LED lamps usually have a significantly longer lifespan than other lamps.

Light color (Kelvin): This indicates the color temperature of the light. A lower number of Kelvin means a warmer, yellow light, while a higher number means a cooler, more bluish light.

Energy efficiency class: This is a rating that indicates how energy -efficient the illuminant is. It is given on a scale from A ++ (most efficient) to E (least efficiently). 

Is it worth converting a house to LED?

The changeover of your house to LED lighting can require a certain investment, but it can definitely be worth it. As already mentioned, LED lamps consume much less energy and last much longer than incandescent lamps and CFLs. This means that you save money in the long term both in terms of electricity costs and in terms of expenses for lamp exchange.

In addition, when switching to LED, you do not have to replace all lamps at once. You can simply replace it with an LED lamp every time a incandescent lamp or CFL burns through. So you can distribute the costs and at the same time benefit from the advantages of LED lighting.

Lamps and base

Lamp versions and sockets play a crucial role in choosing the right lamp for your lighting needs. They ensure a secure and efficient electrical connection between the illuminant and the lamp. There are a variety of base types and it is important to know the right type for your specific lamp. The versions for illuminants can be roughly divided into three categories: screw base, pen base and socket.

Screw base: They are the most frequently used versions. They enable easy installation by simply screwing the lamp into the frame until it sits safely. They are available in different sizes, including E27 (standard size) and E14 (candle lamp)

Abbey: These versions are typical of low-voltage halogen lamps or certain types of LED lamps. They have two pens that are inserted into the frame. Common sizes are G4, G9 and GY6.35.

Socket: These versions are mainly used for fluorescent tubes or certain types of LED lamps. They have one or two pens at each end of the lamp that are inserted into the frame. Make sure you choose the right version for your lamp. The base type is usually given on the illuminant packaging.

Important versions and their applications - Here are some of the most common lamp versions and where they are usually used:

E27: This is a standard size for incandescent lamps, many LED lamps and some compact fluorescent lamps. It is often used in table lamps, ceiling lights and many other household lights.

E14: This smaller screw version can often be found in smaller lights such as desk lamps or decorative lights.

GU10: This version is often used in recessed lights and beams. It is typical of halogen and LED lamps.

G4, G9: These versions are often used for low-voltage halogen lamps, which can be found in smaller lights, such as certain desk lamps or decorative lights.

Efficiency example incandescent lamp VS LED lamp

Let us look at a simple example to demonstrate the efficiency of incandescent lamps compared to LED lamps. Suppose you want to illuminate a room that requires a lamp with a light output of around 800 lumens.

This roughly corresponds to the light output of a traditional 60-watt incandescent lamp. An incandescent lamp that generates 800 lumens consumes about 60 watts.

If you use this lamp 5 hours a day, the energy consumption is: 60 watts * 5 hours = 300 watt hours or 0.3 kilowatt hours (kWh). Over a period of 30 days (one month) the 0.3 kwh * 30 = 9 kWh.

An LED lamp, which also generates 800 lumens, consumes only about 10 watts. With a use of 5 hours a day, this results: 10 watts * 5 hours = 50 watt hours or 0.05 kilowatt hours (kWh). The 0.05 kWh * 30 = 1.5 kWh results over 30 days.

Comparison: With an average electricity price of around 0.30 euros per kilowatt hour (this value varies depending on the region and provider), the monthly costs for the incandescent lamp are: 9 kWh * 0.30 euros = 2.70 euros.

For the LED lamp, on the other hand: 1.5 kWh * 0.30 euros = 0.45 euros.

In this simple example, you save about 2.25 euros a month with the LED lamp. This may not sound like a lot, but if you take it up for a year and take several lamps into account in your house, the savings can consider considerably. In this simple example, you save about 2.25 euros a month with the LED lamp. This may not sound a lot, but if you take it up for a year and take several lamps into account in your house, the savings can be considerable. With 10 lamps that are used similarly frequently, you could save 225 euros a year, for example.

Further energy saving options

Motion detector and timer: Another efficient way to save electricity is to use motion detectors and timers. Motion detectors automatically switch on the light when they recognize movement in a certain area and switch it off when no movement is recognized. They are particularly useful for outdoor lighting and less used rooms. Timmering clocks, on the other hand, can be programmed so that they switch the light on and off at certain times. They are ideal for areas that have to be examined regularly, such as outdoor areas at night.

Smart home and networked lighting: In today's digital world, there are also more and more ways to network lighting and thus optimize electricity consumption. Smart home systems enable you to control your lighting from your smartphone or via voice commands. You can even set up complex lighting scenarios that are automatically activated at certain times or under certain conditions. This can not only help to save energy, but also increases comfort and safety in your home.

Room design and color selection: The color of the walls, floors and furniture in your home can have a major impact on the required lighting. Lighter colors reflect the light better and make it possible to get by with less lighting. Darker colors, on the other hand, absorb more light, which means that you need more lighting to achieve the same degree of brightness.

Energy audit: If you want to save energy and optimize your lighting, you could consider an energy audit. An expert comes to your home and analyzes how much energy you consume and where you could save energy. This can also include specific recommendations for lighting. It is clear that choosing the right lighting is only part of the equation when it comes to saving energy. By conscious decisions and the use of technology, lighting can be made more efficient and sustainable.

Conclusion - that's how you do everything!

Saving electricity is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment. The efficient use of lighting plays a key role, since it often makes up a significant part of energy consumption in households. The switch to LED lamps is one of the most effective measures to save electricity. Although they can be more expensive to buy than traditional light bulbs or compact fluorescent lamps, they pay themselves more than from a lower electricity bill and a longer lifespan.

If you are still undecided how you want to implement the lighting in your living room, please make an appointment with the light professionals from Skapetze, To a personal advice and the development of an individual Lighting concept to take advantage of.

You are also welcome to us on site in Simbach am Inn in our Light studio visit come.

If you already have a concrete idea what the lights should look like in your living room, we can help you to implement this idea into reality - ours in -house workshop makes it possible.