When you want to go green you need to consider your lighting.  Traditional incandescent light bulbs only use about 5 to 10 percent of the electricity they consume for creating light and send the rest of the energy out as heat.  Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are the more eco friendly lighting choice.  They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors but were traditionally the funny shaped twisted tube light bulbs.  CFLs cost more than incandescent light bulbs however they last up to 10 times longer and use about a quarter as much energy.  Most CFL bulbs pay for themselves after about 6 months of use.  CFLs can be found in just about any store that sells light bulbs.

LEDs are another eco friendly lighting option.  Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are energy efficient long lasting bulbs.  They use even less energy than CFLs and last even longer.  LED lights light up faster than incandescent lights and reduce energy consumption by 80-90%.  Currently they are more expensive than CFLs and are a bit harder to find on store shelves.  As the technology evolves we see more of these available at lower prices.

Motion sensors and dimmers are great ways to enhance your eco friendly lighting.  Motion sensors are a great way to keep lights off when people are not in the room and the light isn’t needed.  Dimmers allow you to adjust the level of lighting so that it is more appropriate for the activities going on in the room.  When reading you will want the light brighter but if you’re watching tv a more dim light is appropriate.

When looking for eco friendly lighting options you need to consider your light fixtures as well.  Recycled light fixtures created out of glass, metal and other renewable materials make a statement and add a decorative flare to your home.

Daylight is definitely the most eco-friendly lighting there is.  When the sun is up open the blinds and curtains and allow the sun to light your space.  You can even capture energy from the sun with fiber optics and other light technologies including solar powered lamps and lighting.