Lighting is one of the most crucial elements in interior design, and not surprisingly, it also has one of the biggest impacts on energy consumption as well. When a room is illuminated intelligently - both naturally and artificially - it can reap a bevy of benefits, affecting the comfort, mood, health, and in turn the productivity of a space's occupants. Thankfully, with massive improvements in green lighting technology in the last few years, the options for energy-efficient illumination are greater than ever. Moving far beyond the ubiquitous CFL, companies and eco-conscious designers are carefully considering human health and comfort in addition to the energy consumption of their products. But you don't need to spend big bucks to transform your space - in fact, implementing these alternative lighting options can put extra money in your pocket. Read ahead for our eco-friendlylighting tips, which will arm you with exactly what you need to transform your interior space with beautiful lighting while cutting your energy bill.
I like how this post highlights how better lighting can make us feel better too – not just how much energy and money we can save.
I am all about using mood lighting. The ceiling lights in my apartment are unnecessarily bright. Plus, less light makes it feel cozier!
This post is great! I definitely like the “mood lighting” suggestion, in my apartment we’ve got a lot of that. In fact one room in our place is entirely lit by candle light – soy candles of course – everyone should try some candles from time to time, they are really soothing.
Thanks for the great tips!
Wow that was a supper informative look at the role light plays in our lives! I know I’m not getting enough of it during this dreary NYC winter! I need a vitamin D boost.
This is a great post! I’m constantly frustrated with how the lighting is set up in my apt. This will definitely help me make the right choices moving forward
Quite a bit of information to digest, shows how complex (and critical)lighting decisions can be.
I really like the room painting idea to get the most from your natural light. I’m definitely going to apply that when I get around to painting my room.
Ah yes, let there be light. Loving the unique ideas on ways to bring more of it into your life.
Can anyone tell me what the name of the bulb/fixture is in the first picture of this article? The picture has the Philips log on it and the light bulb/fixture is an odd shape?
@Yuka Yoneda: it makes you feel better because you know that you do your part to save the world. Doing a positive thing can give you positive energy back!
I’m glad the site is starting to talk about how humans are affected by different types/wavelengths of lighting. For years, industry has been pushing flourescent bulbs on us, telling us how “green” they are. But in a landfill, they are toxic. In your daily life, they cause depression, sleeplessness, headaches, mood changes, and can worsen skin, mental, immunological and neural disorders. Students perform more poorly and miss more school when the classroom is lit with flourescent lighting. It is so bad that trip to Walmart can put a lupus patient in the hospital. What might be saved in the cost of a bulb is more than paid in loss of quality of life – and medical bills.
I’m not a big fan of flourescent lighting either and have noticed how it affects your mood when working in an office all day under it. I think LED lighting is incredible minus the cost but you know it’ll last darn near forever so I may start marketing it to my remodeling customers here in charlotte nc. if i can keep them healthy and happy they just may need me more or refer me. lol..just kidding
I’m a fan of that “Sunlight Direct” system. All the advantages of daylighting; with none of the drawbacks of radiant & thermal solar heat gain.
Direct sunlight, conversely, is too hot & too bright for comfort & efficiency.
Great piece of information. Thanks for sharing.