Basement Lighting
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Recessed can lights? Make sure they're properly sealed-for energy efficiency and safety. |
Energy Facts: Lighting improvements are one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. An average household dedicates 10% of its energy budget to lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce your lighting energy use by 50% to 75%.
Scout It Out: Are there penetrations in ceilings? These will create an escape route for warm air if not sealed. Recessed can lights are a common culprit.
Can lights should be sealed with heat-resistant silicone caulk and, after a barrier such as mesh is installed, insulated. This can be difficult to check if a false soffit was installed for the lights. If the lights penetrate the attic floor, have an energy auditor check the attic to assess sealing and insulation.
Tips: Consider installing energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in fixtures throughout your home. Another newer lighting technology, light emitting diodes, or LEDs, offers better light quality than incandescent bulbs, lasts 25 times as long, and uses even less energy than CFLs.
Tools: Use ENERGY STAR®'s Choose A Light Guide to help you find the right bulbs for your home.
