Quick Facts Affordability Cost Savings CO2 Reduction		Arrange the lighting in a room so you can adjust the lighting level for different uses and times of day. Use lamps and track lighting to focus bright light on areas where you do detailed work, like your desk or kitchen counter. Dimmer switches and tri-light switches will allow you to adjust the lighting level to match needs. Direct lighting to illuminate specific areas instead of relying on ceiling fixtures that light entire rooms. Affordability Dimmer switches run anywhere from $15 to $60. It is important to look for a good quality dimmer switch to maximize efficiency. Task lighting includes track lighting, desk lamps and floor lamps, which vary in price and quality. Cost savings Check out the energy use and expense of different kinds of lights with our Lighting Calculator.  Health & comfort Being able to dim the lights in a room or having lamps for different uses, moods and times of day, allows you better control over light levels and can improve the aesthetics of the space. Environmental considerations Using localized, directed lights in combination with daylighting techniques, reduces the energy waste from over-lighting and reduces sky glow by reducing the amount of light that is cast into the sky at night.

What you need to know

• Delamping, removing unneeded light bulbs or fixtures, is a great way to save energy. Remove lights from areas with excess lighting or that don’t need to be directly illuminated. Ensure you maintain safe and comfortable light levels.
• Lamps or task lights allow you to focus light where you need it, while reducing over-lighting.
• Use task lighting wherever possible. You can save energy by reducing background lighting and focusing light right where it’s needed. Turn off ceiling lights and use table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights in work and hobby areas as well as in kitchens.
• You can replace standard wall switches with dimmers or hi-lo switches which can be set to bright, one-third brightness or off. Make sure the switches don't use resistors or you won't save energy.
• Dimming lamps save energy and add a range of lighting levels to your lighting system. You can purchase automatic dimmers that are especially useful near windows, where they will adjust their light levels throughout the day. Note that not all CFLs are dimmable. The package will tell you if it will work with a dimmer. And don’t buy bulbs for dimmers or other variable switches that are brighter at full power than you need.
• The ability to adjust lighting levels is particularly important near windows and workspaces like desks and kitchens, so you can adapt to varying levels of sunlight during the day.
• Move floor lamps into the corners of your rooms. This will allow the lamps to reflect light from two walls, giving you more usable light for the energy. The added illumination may even be enough for another light in the room to be removed or turned off.
• Think about your lighting needs for each part of your home before purchasing or installing new lighting fixtures. Keep in mind that pot lights offer less flexibility than track lighting. Track light fixtures can be moved and the direction of the light beam is easily adjustable.
• Buy lights with an appropriate colour temperature for the task and location.

Taking it further

• Think about your home lighting as an interconnected system and set it up for maximum ease and efficiency.
• For driveway, garden and patio areas, consider motion sensors or timers to turn lights off automatically when they are not needed. Sensors will also come on when there is someone present, making a parking area or an entrance more comfortable and secure. See the Install Automatic Lighting Controls tip for more information.

FAQ

Does using a dimmer switch with a CFL reduce the bulb life?
A CFL will work with a dimmer switch as long as it is designed to be dimmable. However, using a standard, non-dimmable CFL with a dimmer switch could break the bulb or dramatically reduce its life. Read the packaging to ensure you get the right CFL for the task.