Tips on how you can save energy

Optimize energy efficiency: How you can best save electricity

With the right choice of light sources and conscious use, you can make a significant contribution to energy efficiency. This article focuses on how you can save energy by using LED light sources compared to conventional light bulbs. The type of light source we use in our homes and offices plays a significant role in electricity consumption. Incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps are the most commonly used light sources. In recent years, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have become increasingly popular due to their high energy efficiency and longevity.

LEDs versus incandescent lamps

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are a type of solid-state light (SSL) that converts electricity directly into light. They are much more efficient than incandescent lamps. An LED lamp uses only around a fifth to a third of the energy of an incandescent lamp to produce the same amount of light. They also last much longer. While a typical incandescent bulb only lasts around 1,000 to 2,000 hours, an LED bulb can last 15,000 to 50,000 hours. Given the above factors, it may come as no surprise that LED bulbs are more cost-effective than incandescent bulbs in the long run. Although they are more expensive to buy, they make up for this cost with their longer life and lower energy consumption. With average use, an LED lamp can save hundreds of euros in electricity costs over its lifetime.

"The greatest energy savings 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 light sources. Remember to replace the most frequently used lighting first - this is where the biggest energy savings can be made."

How do you read a light source packaging?

Light source packaging contains a wealth of information that can help you choose the right light source for your needs.

Light bulb packaging contains a wealth of information that can help you choose the right light bulb for your needs.

Here are some important points to look out for:

Light output (lumens): This measures the total amount of light a bulb produces. It is a better indicator of brightness than the wattage. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light.

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

Service life: This indicates how long the light source will last with average use. LED lamps normally have a significantly longer service life than other light sources.

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

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

Is it worth converting a house to LED?

Converting your home to LED lighting may require some investment, but it can definitely be worth it. As mentioned earlier, LED bulbs use much less energy and last much longer than incandescent and CFLs. This means you'll save money in the long run on both electricity costs and the expense of replacing bulbs.

What's more, you don't have to replace all the light sources at once when you switch to LED. You can simply replace an incandescent bulb or CFL with an LED bulb every time it burns out. This allows you to spread the costs and benefit from the advantages of LED lighting at the same time.

Lampholders and bases

Lampholders and bases play a crucial role in selecting the right light source for your lighting needs. They ensure a safe and efficient electrical connection between the light source and the luminaire. There are a variety of base types and it is important to know the correct type for your specific luminaire. Sockets for light sources can be roughly divided into three categories: Screw base, pin base and plug-in base.

Screw baseThese are the most commonly used sockets. They allow for easy installation by simply screwing the bulb into the socket until it is secure. They come in different sizes, including E27 (standard size) and E14 (candle bulb)

Pin baseThese sockets are typically used for low-voltage halogen lamps or certain types of LED lamps. They have two pins that are inserted into the socket. Common sizes are G4, G9 and GY6.35.

Plug-in baseThese sockets are mainly used for fluorescent tubes or certain types of LED lamps. They have one or two pins at each end of the bulb that are inserted into the socket. Make sure you choose the right socket for your light. The socket type is usually indicated on the bulb packaging.

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

E27This 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.

E14This smaller screw socket is often found in smaller lights such as desk lamps or decorative lights.

GU10This socket is often used in recessed lights and spotlights. It is typical for halogen and LED lamps.

G4, G9These sockets are often used for low-voltage halogen lamps, which are found in smaller luminaires such as certain desk lamps or decorative luminaires.

Energy efficiency example incandescent lamp vs LED lamp

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

This is roughly equivalent to the light output of a traditional 60-watt incandescent lamp. An incandescent lamp that produces 800 lumens consumes around 60 watts.

If you use this lamp for 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), this results in 0.3 kWh * 30 = 9 kWh.

An LED lamp that also produces 800 lumens, on the other hand, only consumes around 10 watts. If used for 5 hours a day, this results in: 10 watts * 5 hours = 50 watt hours or 0.05 kilowatt hours (kWh). Over 30 days, this results in 0.05 kWh * 30 = 1.5 kWh.

ComparisonAt an average electricity price of around 0.30 euros per kilowatt hour (this value varies depending on the region and supplier), the monthly costs for the light bulb are: 9 kWh * 0.30 euros = 2.70 euros.

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

In this simple example, you save around 2.25 euros per month with the LED lamp. This may not sound like much, but if you extrapolate this over a year and take into account several lamps in your house, the savings can be considerable. For example, with 10 lamps that are used with similar frequency, you could save 225 euros a year.

Other energy-saving options

Motion detectors and timers: Another energy-efficient way to save electricity is to use motion detectors and timers. Motion detectors automatically switch the light on when they detect movement in a certain area and switch it off when no more movement is detected. They are particularly useful for outdoor lighting and rooms that are rarely used. Timers, on the other hand, can be programmed to switch the light on and off at specific times. They are ideal for areas that need to be lit regularly, such as outdoor areas at night.

Smart home and networked lightingIn today's digital world, there are also more and more ways to network lighting and thus optimize energy consumption. Smart home systems allow 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 you save energy, but also increase the comfort and safety of your home.

Room design and color selectionThe color of the walls, floors and furniture in your home can have a big impact on the lighting you need. Lighter colors reflect light better and allow you to get by with less lighting. Darker colors, on the other hand, absorb more light, which means you need more lighting to achieve the same level of brightness.

Energy auditIf you are serious about saving energy and optimizing your lighting, you could consider an energy audit. This involves an expert coming to your home and analyzing how much energy you are using and where you could save energy. This may also include specific recommendations for lighting. It's clear that choosing the right lighting is only part of the equation when it comes to saving energy. Through conscious choices and the use of technology, lighting can be made more efficient and sustainable.

Conclusion - How to do everything right!

Saving energy is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment. The energy-efficient use of lighting plays a key role here, as it often accounts for a significant proportion of energy consumption in households. Switching to LED light sources is one of the most effective ways to save electricity. Although they can be more expensive to purchase than traditional incandescent lamps or compact fluorescent lamps, they more than pay for themselves with lower electricity bills and a longer lifespan.

If you are still undecided about how you want to implement the lighting in your living room, why not make an appointment with the lighting professionals at Skapetze, for a personal consultation and the development of an individual lighting concept and the development of an individual lighting concept.

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

If you already have a concrete idea of how you want the lights in your living room to look, we can help you turn this idea into reality - our in-house workshop makes it possible.