by A.W. Berry

Created on: July 01, 2007   Last Updated: December 17, 2010

For thousands of years humans didn't have electricity and looked into the dark or to fire for lighting. Our ancestors can teach us a little on how to save on lighting because their lighting was essentially free. In addition to our ancestors, modern technology and know how can give us a few more energy saving tips that can be easy on the pocket book and less antiquated than historical methods.

• Candlelight

Medieval Europeans used a substance called pitch to keep large torches burning for hours on end. This pitch was obtained from pine tree sap and other sources and placed at the end of the sticks and ignited. Still other ancient methods of lighting used in the past included placing wicks and animal fat in stones and shells then lighting them.

While some ancient methods would not be practical in many homes we do have access to candles and a gas lanterns similar to what the Romans used. These can not only be romantic but quite mysterious and relaxing. Candlelight is truly undervalued and provides a taste of history, an interesting atmosphere and save money.

• Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)

CFL bulbs designated as Energy Star bulbs are often in the form of compact fluorescent lighting or CFL and are among the most energy efficient bulbs in the United States. These bulbs conform to Government provided efficiency standards and have minimum requirements such as an estimated 6000 hour life span and 66 percent energy efficiency over standard incandescent light bulbs. Energy star bulbs come in different shades of white and tint and the best bulbs to switch over to energy star are the one's used most in a home such as the kitchen lights. Over time these pay off and can be cheaper when purchased in multi-packs.

• Daylight and Solar powered lights

During the day, there is simply no great need for artificial light. The closer one lives to the North Pole the longer one's day actually becomes during the summer. In fact in Norway one might not even need light bulbs in the summer. Solar powered lights that store energy in solar cells and batteries during the day can be used to power a few lights at night. If one spends the time, effort and initial investment cost to set up a few lights using this method one may never need a electric company powered light bulb again.

• Conservation

Naturally, reducing light to comfortable yet lower levels by using light dimmers, lower wattage bulbs, and/or less bulbs can also conserve electricity and lighting dollars. Turning lights off when not being used, only lighting the room one is in, removing fridge bulbs and excessive lighting and converting to energy efficient lighting can all contribute to effective energy conservation.

Lighting can still be adequate and pleasant when used with energy conservation in mind. There are several unique and exciting ways light can be harnessed and positioned for ambiance and affect that are also money saving techniques. There really is not a great excuse other than an unwillingness to make the effort in the quest to save on lighting.

Sources:

1. http://www.primitive.org/lighting.htm
2. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
3. http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/nettsch/time/rlife.html
4. http://www.wstar.org/Windstar/Education/LivingLigh tly/LivinglightlyLightbulbs.html
5. http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagid=6 29

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