Today, a guest post from the folks at Lamps.com, a retailer of lamps, LED lighting and LED outdoor lighting solutions. They provide an interesting pro/con analysis of the three main types of light sources.
Going “green” is one of the largest priorities among businesses today; it seems everyone is doing it. Obviously, while building an energy-efficient structure, one of your main goals should be to conserve resources, but it can also be important to consider how you are going to light the project while still sticking to the green guidelines. It can be costly and stressful to think about lighting a whole construction site at night using solar paneled lights or other energy-efficient means, but with the following few tips you can conserve energy and have a safe, well-lit workspace while still keeping to your budget:
LED Light bulbs: All of the light bulbs that fit in typical sockets can generally be replaced with substitute light sources. LED lights are a great way to shed light on your construction project while still maintaining energy-efficient standards. LED lights come in both flood and track varieties, and are a benefit in the workplace because they do not throw off heat. That means that, no matter how late you’re burning the midnight oil, you are going to be safe from burns and fires. LEDs last close to eight times longer than CFL light bulbs and can be used in almost all light fixtures. LED bulbs also require significantly less wattage in comparison to the other types of bulbs. This makes them the most efficient and longest lasting type to use in a construction setting.
CFL Light bulbs: CFLs are another option for people looking to save energy but still work by light. Although they are not as energy efficient as LEDs they still use fifty to eighty percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. Replacing just one incandescent bulb with a CFL will cut about a half ton of C02 out of the atmosphere in just 5 years; that’s a lot of air and water pollution you could be saving. These, like the LEDs can be used in almost all areas where lighting is required.
Solar Paneled Lights: With the rise of solar powered technology, solar paneled lights can be cheap to find if you look in the right place. Purchasing online is a viable option for most, but make sure you read reviews of the product before buying. Solar paneled lights do have the tendency to be dimmer than other varieties, and also can die out more quickly because of their power source being inaccessible.
Along with getting energy-efficient bulbs there are options such as replacing fixtures in your pre-existing equipment, or using energy efficient cording. However, buying new bulbs is the quickest, easiest way to quickly make sure your construction company is working with “green” equipment and conserving as much as it can.
Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out this chart showing complete details of the three types of lights, including energy, environmental impact, and light output.
Your turn: Have you worked on a LEED or other “green” project which used alternative light sourcing? Share in the comments section, below.
Act now to get early bird tickets to the USGBC NC Triangle Chapter’s spring Luncheon, featuring NC Governor Bev Perdue and others on the topic of the Green Business Fund, which was created to “make environmental innovation investments in alternative fuels, green construction, and other clean energy technologies – positioning North Carolina to become a national leader in environmental technology and in high-wage green collar jobs.”
