According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home lighting maintenance is vital to lighting efficiency. Lighting levels decrease as time passes because of aging lamps and dirt on fixtures, lamps, and room surfaces.

This aging and dirt can reduce the amount of illumination by 50 percent or more, while lights continue drawing full power.

The agency suggests that some simple maintenance can help keep your lights operating at their optimum energy efficiency.

These steps include cleaning lamps, fixtures and lenses every six to 24 months by simply wiping dust off. The agency cautions consumers not to clean an incandescent bulb while it is on, since the effect of water's cooling could shatter the bulb.

If lenses to lighting appear yellow, change the lenses.

Re-lamping can be a good choice for improved energy efficiency, since many common lamps, especially incandescent and fluorescent lamps, lose 20 percent to 30 percent of their light output over their service life. 

The Energy Department notes that many experts will suggest replacing all the lamps in a lighting system at once. This saves labor and provides optimal illumination, while avoiding stressing any ballasts with dying lamps.

Painting the walls to your home can aid the cause of energy efficiency, as well. The agency points out that dirt will collect on the surfaces to your walls, reducing the amount of light they reflect.

For more information and ideas on energy savings available through good lighting choices, go to http://www.energysavers.gov.

 

Opinions are solely the writer's. Joseph Pellicciotti is a lawyer, professor and vice chancellor at Indiana University Northwest.