Electric lighting burns up to 25% of the average home energy budget.

The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs 5 to 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself. Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) bulbs have revolutionized energy-efficient lighting. CFLs are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. They screw into standard lamp sockets, and give off light that looks similar to the common incandescent bulbs - not like the fluorescent lighting we associate with factories and schools. LEDs are small, very efficient solid bulbs. New LED bulbs are grouped in clusters with diffuser lenses which have broadened the applications for LED use in the home. LED technology is advancing rapidly, with many new bulb styles available. Initially more expensive than CFLs, LEDs bring more value since they last longer. Also, the price of LED bulbs is going down each year as the manufacturing technology continues to improve.

LED Lighting

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are solid light bulbs which are extremely energy-efficient. When first developed, LEDs were limited to single-bulb use in applications such as instrument panels, electronics, pen lights and, more recently, strings of indoor and outdoor Christmas lights.

Benefits of LED lightbulbs

Long-lasting - LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescents.

Durable - since LEDs do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.

Cool - these bulbs do not cause heat build-up; LEDs produce 3.4 btu's/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. Common incandescent bulbs get hot and contribute to heat build-up in a room. LEDs prevent this heat build-up, thereby helping to reduce air conditioning costs in the home.

Mercury-free - no mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs.

More efficient - LED light bulbs use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL). LED bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool and save money on replacement costs since LED bulbs last so long. Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs.

Cost-effective - although LEDs are initially expensive, the cost is recouped over time and in power savings. LED bulb use was first adopted commercially, where maintenance and replacement costs are expensive. But the cost of new LED bulbs has gone down considerably in the last few year  and are continuing to go down. Today, there are many new LED light bulbs for use in the home, and the cost is becoming less of an issue. To see a cost comparison between the different types of energy-saving light bulbs.

Ceiling Fans

Homeowners are all too familiar with the unbearable heat during the summer months. Keeping the household cool while the temperature is blazing can be a problem, especially when it’s about the bills.

Benefits of Ceiling Fans

There are numerous reasons why the ceiling fan is a great home appliance to have.

Energy Efficient - First, ceiling fans are energy-efficient. These fans can lower your energy costs and help you save money in the long run. Ceiling fans can lower your energy consumption by up to 40 percent. In that sense, it’s also environment friendly as it reduces the household’s carbon footprint.

Cools Down You Down Naturally - Although the ceiling fan doesn’t change the room temperature, the air movement makes you feel cooler. It prevents the stuffiness to set in so you can raise the thermostat and still feel comfortable. The breeze created by the fans help in speeding up the natural evaporation of perspiration on the skin. This makes our natural cooling mechanism even more efficient.

Air Conditioner Backup - Ceiling fans can also complement the air conditioning unit. Both go well together. Having both of these appliances can let a household switch depending on the weather or situation. Having a ceiling fan is also a backup in case the air conditioner breaks down. These two are most often included in most of the modern homes today. Read these great tips on how to cool your home the best with an air conditioning unit.

Warms You Up During Winter - It is not only used during summer months, as the ceiling fan is also as effective during winter. Let the fan blades move clockwise to push warm air to the floor. This can lower the energy consumption up to 15 percent and reduces the cost of heating fuel.

Aesthetic Purposes - The ceiling fans today are already made to be decorative in nature. These are accessories that can add style to the home. There are already various designs, sizes, and styles available that will complement your interior. It can also be a focal point in a room.

Quick Installation and Easy Maintenance - These fans are also known for easy installation and maintenance compared to air conditioners. It can be easily installed by a single person, especially if it’s a regular ceiling fan. To clean your fan, just dust off the blades once every few weeks and you’re done.

Multi-functional - Some fans are also dual-purpose. With its fan light kit, it provides functional illumination. You no longer need to put additional lights in a room. On its own, it can already light up a room.

Quick Tips to Choosing a Ceiling Fan

Now that you know why a ceiling fan is a good choice for your home, choosing the right fan for your home is what you need to tackle. You need to identify your price comfort and budget. Ceiling fans range from the basic $50 up to the luxurious $3,000 or up. Find out how much you’re willing to shell out for your ceiling fan. This is how far you can go on your purchase. Look for a fan that suits your space and needs. Your room size also affects the size of the fan that you need. For rooms that are less than 75 square feet, the fan must be around 36 inches in diameter. For bigger rooms, bigger fans are needed. If the fans are to be used for outdoors or the bathroom, it should be designed for damp locations. Choose the right mounting system. Ceiling fans have to be installed and mounted in the middle of the room at least seven feet from the floor. Get the perfect mounting option for your space. You can go for a flushmount for low ceilings, an angle mount for faulted ceilings, or downrod mount for high ceilings.

History – How Ceiling Fans Came To Be

The first ceiling fans were not electric powered. These fans came out in the US around 1960s to 1970s. A turbine that drives the belts to turn two blades of the ceiling fans powered them. The turbine used running water, then. This power system can be used for a number of several fan units, which made this popular for cooling restaurants and stores.
Philip Diehl invented the first electric ceiling fan in 1882. He used an electric motor from a sewing machine and engineered it for a ceiling-mounted fan. Each of the unit no longer needed a belt drive. Diehl continued to make improvements and created a light-fitted fan. In the 1920s, the ceiling fans became common in the US. With the introduction of the air conditioning unit however, these started to fade into disuse. Later on, an improved and efficient ceiling fan was brought back to the US from India. This renewed the success of the ceiling fans. Now, ceiling fans are becoming decorative and high-tech.

Safety Switches

Safety switches are an insurance against electric shock and are designed to prevent injury or death. They monitor the flow of eletricity through a circuit and automatically shut off the electricity supply when current is detected leaking through faulty switches, wiring or electrical appliances

I have a safety switch—isn't one enough?

Safety switches are often confused with circuit breakers and fuses, but they perform different tasks. Safety switches monitor the flow of electricity through a circuit and turn off the power in a fraction of a second if a leakage of current is detected. Safety switches provide personal protection against electric shock. Circuit breakers protect an electrical circuit by quickly cutting power when there is a high current fault or overload that may cause a hazard. Even if your home has a safety switch installed, one may not be enough to protect you from electric shock. A safety switch only protects you if it's on that circuit. You should consider having safety switches installed on all circuits in your home, including power points, lights, air conditioning, oven, hot water and pool equipment circuits, even if they are on a separate tariff.