Aside from the aesthetic appeal, the ease of use and the ability to set the mood, a Lutron lighting control system has numerous environmental benefits.
Energy efficiency
It may be straightforward enough, but let's explore the nuts and bolts of the energy savings that lighting controls systems like a Lutron dimmer make possible. Using an incandescent or halogen light bulb, a dimmer not only saves energy, but extends the life of the bulb. For example, dimming a light by 10 percent will save the household or business 10 percent on electricity and extend bulb life to three years. If a bulb is dimmed by 50 percent, the energy savings is multiplied by four times – reaching 40 percent. Plus, it extends the life of the bulb for 10 or more years.
It doesn't end there. Simply installing a dimmer will save an estimated 4 to 9 percent in electricity annually. That means that, without even using the dimmer to alter the light output, a dimmer will save you money. Then, if you dim your lights, you will save even more money.
If your workplace or home uses LED bulbs in addition to a dimmer, your energy savings will be two-fold. However, LED bulbs are designed to be fully dimmable. With Cree now manufacturing LED bulbs for under $10 – bulbs that already use 70 percent less energy than their incandescent cousins – the potential savings annually is truly remarkable.
According to a survey of 4,000 energy efficiency professionals, 48 percent of respondents reported that they were using some form of intelligent lighting control systems in their lighting retrofits, systems that employ occupancy sensors and dimming capabilities.
Lutron estimates that if every household in the U.S. replaced two of their light switches with a dimmer, nearly $1.5 billion could be saved in utility costs each year. That is the equivalent of more than 1 million cars being taken off the road, preventing 25 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
The mood lighting benefit
An often overlooked benefit of dimming lights is its ability to affect an occupant's mood. It has been determined that the option of altering light can improve quality of life, enhance productivity as well as the comfort levels in each space. Whether it is preparing a room for entertainment purposes such as watching a movie, or dimming the lights for the entrance of a birthday cake, individuals find Lutron dimmers to impact their lives positively.
