Buying Guide For Energy Saving Advice
With environmental issues becoming a greater global concern
, governments and individuals everywhere are increasingly looking for ways to increase their awareness and decrease their carbon footprint. Coupled with spiraling energy prices, both ethical practices and budgetary restrictions are making people everywhere take more notice of consumption and the ways in which it can be reduced.
Cut Costs & Help the Environment
Here at Lyco we purposely source a wide range of products offering the best available energy ratings and we also try to ensure our customers are suitably informed about the items that offer the best comparative savings. This section is dedicated to giving you a more detailed insight into the ways in which you, your family and even your company can help lower your energy consumption and cut costs.
Energy Saving Products
From electric appliances to the choice of light bulbs used in your light fittings, everything can contribute towards your overall energy usage. Our range of guides are designed to help customers drive down those energy bills and subsequently decrease your environmental impact; effectively killing two birds with one stone, and all without having any significant outlay of time or cash. So if youre looking for a little inspiration on how to go green and cut costs look no further than right here at Lyco.
Energy Saving Advice
*Reducing Energy Bills
*Long Life & Low Energy
*Low Voltage Lighting Alternatives
*LED Lighting V Halogen
*Low Energy Bulbs - In the Office
*Low Energy Bulbs - In the Home
Reducing Energy Bills
Many homes and businesses have been hit by the hikes in energy bills over the past few years, leading some to seek ways in which to reduce their consumption and therefore limit the impact of these rises in costs. Fortunately alternatives are available in abundance these days; whether its as simple as replacing standard incandescent bulbs with energy-saving options, or something a little more complex, such as creating alternative electricity sources, such as wind powered turbines or solar panels, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Energy Saving Lighting
Lighting is often one of the biggest issues when it comes to energy wastage. With homes, offices and factories up and down the country using lights at various times throughout the day, energy consumption can soon add up. In some industries lighting is essential throughout the day for health and safety reasons, however even where light fittings are in constant use, there is always room to make savings.
Efficient, Long-lasting LEDs
The first, and possibly most obvious change is to the light bulbs themselves. There are low-energy alternatives to a wide variety of conventional, and even some more specialist light bulbs and lamps available. LED bulbs are one such example; providing effective and long-lasting lighting, this hugely efficient solution has become a popular alternative for a number of normal light fittings such as spotlights and GU10 downlights. Requiring only a couple of watts to function fully and lasting up to 50,000 hours, LEDs are a modern lighting solution that could help you make savings both now and in the future.
Versatile Low Energy Light Bulbs
CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs have been available for a good number of years. The modern incarnations are becoming even more energy efficient and providing an extended life-span, to help further boost your own overall efficiency. Designed as a like-for-like replacement for incandescent light bulbs, they are designed for Bayonet and Screw fittings, offer varying light colour levels and come in a selection of styles and sizes to fit most areas.
Always check energy ratings on any light bulbs you purchase. At Lyco we always include this rating information to better help your decision. In essence it is a rolling scale of efficiency based around a simple colour-coordinated lettering system running from dark green A (the most efficient) through to Red G (the least efficient).
Most CFL, LED and other purposely energy-saving light bulbs fall into the A category; which effectively means that they can be anywhere up to 90% more efficient than an incandescent bulb. Not only do these bulbs save money on your bills now, theyll also reduce maintenance costs in the future thanks to their elongated lifespan; so they really do provide an accessible and extremely viable alternative to traditional bulbs.
Maintain a Comfortable Temperature for Less
Another major cause of excess energy usage is often heating. Buildings, particularly larger offices, shops and factories, use a great deal of energy, be it gas or electricity, maintaining a comfortable working temperature. Due to various legislations and of course employee satisfaction, many businesses have to ensure that the temperature remains at a decent level throughout the year, which can either mean pumping in warm air during the winter and air conditioned cool air in summer.
Obviously where rules and regulations dictate, and where employees health and well-being are concerned, you cant cut corners in heating; therefore other avenues need to be explored in order to reduce bills. As with homes, insufficient insulation is often a cause of heat-loss, so this is something to be considered. Obviously, its not viable for many places to start overhauling large parts of the building in order to install insulation; but this can provide a long-term solution to energy bill woes, despite initial cost and upheaval.
Eradicating Drafts from Doors & Windows
Windows are another culprit in energy wastage. Most modern buildings have incorporated UPVC double or triple glazing, which provides excellent heat retention; however where older windows are still in place and sealant has been worn out, a new installation could well provide an effective solution.
Drafty doors can also be a nuisance. Where they are being left open constantly you might consider internal or external door closers. These relatively cheap additions automatically close the door at a pace that is adjustable after a person enters or leaves the room, ensuring only a minimal amount of warmth escapes.
Energy Saving Heaters
Where you are perhaps only using a few rooms, or a limited space at any one time, you may not require heat or cooling throughout the entire building area. In these instances you may simply require a standalone electric heater. There are dozens of heaters, dehumidifiers and air conditioners available, each one serving a different purpose and ideally suited for a range of situations. From the standard convector heater that emits constant, adjustable warmth to a powerful workshop heater that provides high temperature pulses to warm up cold airy spaces.
Where individual rooms and areas cant control their climate individually, a heater can really help drive down energy costs. Relatively low operating costs and the flexibility to be moved around and used only when necessary, make them an invaluable resource for many homes and businesses throughout the country. Here at Lyco we offer a full selection of heaters for every purpose, so to start cutting down your energy bills now, check out our extensive range.
Long Life & Low Energy
When youre using lights almost constantly, replacement bulbs and energy usage can really start to put a hole in your budget. Some businesses require round the clock lighting; this is particularly prevalent in hotels and other public buildings that have 24 hour occupation. In this type of environment it is of greater importance to ensure that each lamp lasts as long as possible and can run to optimal efficiency, without of course undermining lighting standards.
Save Time, Money & the Environment
Purchasing a long life bulb or lamp may initially set you back a little more than if you were to go for the standard filament based incandescent alternative, however this will usually more than pay for itself over the course of its lifetime. In maintenance alone, the extra long life of a fluorescent or LED lamp will help reduce costs and time wastage as they wont have to be replaced for years. Whilst in a home environment this may not be the biggest overriding factor, in the workplace where lighting can be in awkward places and there could be literally hundreds of bulbs to service, it reduces the maintenance workload significantly.
Low Energy Lighting Solutions
Combining longevity with low energy consumption provides the perfect balance for any ecologically minded individual or company. Requiring only a fraction of the energy of a traditional filament bulb, you can really enjoy some significant savings. CFL bulbs and other fluorescents can function using up to 80% less power, which equates to a big boost for both your finances and green credentials. The diversity of the modern energy saving bulbs has helped to drive down costs; established companies like GE and Sylvania are competing with new light bulb manufacturers, all of whom produce fantastic quality bulbs that will last year after year.
There are a few select situations where low energy bulbs cant replicate the colour accuracy of its traditional alternative; however these really are few and far between these days. With an increased drive to be environmentally aware and cut down our impact on the earth and its resources, light bulbs are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to make a difference.
by: Sarah Drew
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