Lighting is one of the most important elements of a space, either indoor or outdoor, and the quality of the light influences your levels of comfort and happiness.  If you want good lighting that is both energy efficient and environmentally friendly, you can’t go past one of the increasingly popular types of green lighting.  Here are the most common options you have to choose from. For more info, or to convert your existing lights to green lighting, speak with your local lighting professional.

Solar Lighting

The ultimate in green lighting has to be solar lighting, as all the power needed to run the lights comes directly from the sun.  How it works is that the sun shines on a small solar panel which generates electricity that is stored in a battery, ready for the light to be used later, when it is dark.  The bulb used in solar lighting is generally LED.  Solar lighting is the most popular option for outdoor lighting as it works even when there is a blackout, and it provides a reliable amount of light.  They also don’t require a lot of wiring to be run through the garden.

CFL Lighting

CFL stands for compact fluorescent light bulbs and they are much greener than the standard incandescent bulb.  Switching your incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs will save you money as they require much less electricity to run – up to 80 percent less in fact. The bulb itself will also last up to ten times longer, so you don’t have to replace it as often.  CFLs are also cooler and give off little heat, which may not sound significant but you won’t have them contributing to the temperature of the room.  New advances in CFL technology means that they are lower in wattage but give off a brighter, more realistic light. Some CFLs are now also dimmable.

LED Lighting

Something that is making real strides in the world of green lighting is LED lighting.  LED stands for light emitting diode and it is perhaps the most energy efficient and eco friendly light that you can use inside the home.  LED lighting produces almost zero heat when it runs, and the bulb itself lasts for years and years before it needs replacing. In fact, by the time an LED bulb finally dies, it is probably time to replace the entire light fitting!  LED lights are available in a wide range of light types and they produce a comfortable, realistic light.  They are extremely low wattage but produce a very bright light, so they require minimal electricity to run, reducing pollution significantly and also saving you heaps on your electricity bill.  LEDs are considered more environmentally friendly than CFLs as they have no mercury, and give off less electromagnetic radiation.