Saving begins with the right bulb...
Do
you find your light bulbs burn out frequently? The cause could be as
simple as the voltage rating of the bulb. Many of the cheaper light
bulbs have a 120 Volt rating. Try buying light bulbs with a 125V or
130V rating and in most cases they will last much longer.
Dimming a 120V light bulb by as little as 5% has the same effect.
Better still, buy a compact fluorescent lamp. They have come a long
way in the last few years. The added cost of the initial purchase
will be recouped through low electricity use and their long life
span.
Problem-free heating
When you
use an electric space heater do you find that your fuse blows or
breaker trips? There is a simple reason. Those little heaters can
use more electricity than a microwave! Try selecting a lower heat
output. Many newer space heaters have selector switches for
different wattages. It will run longer, but there is no increase in
total power use. Never increase your fuse or breaker size without
consulting an electrician, this can be a fire hazard.
Why does my dimmer get hot?
Modern lighting dimmers are very energy efficient. About 98% of the
energy is sent to the light bulb (98% efficient); the rest is used
by the dimmers sophisticated electronics and sent to the heat sink
(metal plate) at the face of the dimmer. The heat sink directs the
heat into the room and away from the internal components of the
dimmer and the wiring in the electrical box. If you are dimming 600
watts of light, about 12 watts of heat could be felt at the dimmer
face. Dimming your light bulbs saves energy and increases their
lifespan (see related article above).
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