Lounges

Lighting

You will save energy, money and eyestrain by lighting your home properly. Follow these guidelines:

1. The wattage of a bulb is not a measure of the amount of light it gives, but rather the energy it uses. For instance, a 100-watt bulb gives 50% more light than four 25-watt bulbs,
2. Fluorescent lamps give five times the light, is more economical (Watt for Watt) and last up to 10 times as long as ordinary bulbs,
3. Never confine lighting to one part of the room. Avoid heavy contrast by using lampshades that direct light both up and down,
4. Try not to install multiple lights (lamps or lighting fixtures) on a single switch. Above all, turn lights off whenever possible because, they use electricity while they burn. Very important is to switch off the lights if nobody is in the room,
5. Clean your lamps and bulbs regularly, because dirt decreases the amount of light given out,
6. Dimming switches allow you to regulate the light level and reduce electricity consumption to some extent,
7. Use lampshades with a white liner. Liners should be sufficiently dense to hide the bulb but should transmit soft, even light,
8. Use low energy lamps for exterior lighting.

Air conditioning

Good air conditioning circulates the air and makes your home more comfortable. It maintains the temperature at a suitable level, dehumidifies, and removes dust and particles from the air. Here are some ways to increase its efficiency:

1. Clean and inspect filter screens regularly. This will keep electricity consumption at its best and eliminate dust and pollen from conditioned air,
2. Use light coloured curtains to reflect sun and heat outward,
3. Set the air conditioning unit to re-circulate cool air instead of drawing in warmer outside air,
4. Protect the outdoor cooling units from the sun. Place them on the south or shady side of your house,
5. Be sure your television, radio and stereo are off when no one is watching or listening as these items produce heat,
6. Generally, you should turn your heating / cooling system off when the space in unoccupied. You can use a time clock to turn them on prior to occupancy again if you like. Do not heat storage and unoccupied areas, like the basement or garage.