Live Brighter

Ideas and Inspiration

Nov 12, 2014

Lighting Tips

How-to Be Bright and Make Use of Utility Programs

Top 5 Ways to Illuminate Efficiently and Save with Utility Rebate Programs

“Every state in the country has some sort of utility rebate in place–Philips Lighting estimates that there are more than 3,000 utility companies out there, each with its own rebate process.”–“Making the Most of Utility Programs” EnLIGHTenment Magazine 2014

title24-office lighting design

California’s Title 24-compliant office lighting image from cltc.ucdavis.edu

Check out these top 5 resources to see if you qualify for additional savings on your home or commercial project…

  1. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and most local utility companies offer rebates for pre-qualified LED lamps and fixtures that meet ENERGY STAR standards.  Check with your local utility provider on available rebates and update your lighting design to qualify for these benefits.

  1. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers Lighting Programs through ENERGY STAR that break down incentives, the products involved and the target users (builder, consumer, commercial), plus the deadline for each state-by-state.

  1. Grants and Instant Rebates: Many local electric/gas companies provide instant rebates and the federal government also provides rebates and grants for energy-conscious homeowners and businesses that qualify.

  1. Mail-in Rebates: The ENERGY STAR website provides detailed information concerning mail-in rebates for your community. http://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder

  1. Prizes and “Give Aways”: States and counties offer prizes and awards for sustainability and energy-saving strategies. The Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado, for example, has received numerous environmental awards—both international and community based. This resort has taken sustainability and eco-consciousness to a new level by reducing utility consumption, reusing/recycling wherever possible and updating with energy-efficient lighting. http://www.cheyennemountain.com/about/awards/

cheyenne mountain resort

To help consumers understand the benefits of an energy-efficient lighting design http://www.lumennow.org  gives consumers useful information so they may choose and compare LED and CFL light bulbs to replace standard incandescent bulbs.–Terry McGowan, American Lighting Assn. (ALA) Director of Engineering and Technology to Residential Lighting Magazine September 2014

To learn more about energy-efficient lighting design for your home or commercial space, visit with a professional lighting consultant at a Capitol Lighting showroom. Check out 1800lighting.com for ENERGY STAR and Title 24-compliant fixtures, including landscape lighting, ceiling fans, decorative lamps and LED chandeliers.

Top picks include:

20449-brz eclipse access

“Eclipse” outdoor wall lights from Access Lighting

hm1-led42db LED track heads from WAC

LED track heads from WAC Lighting

60-5063 Patton ch

“Patton” chandeliers from Nuvo Lighting

59050 palermo hunter

“Palermo” ceiling fan from Hunter Fan Company

See the latest Title-24-compliant lighting fixtures and ENERGY STAR-ceiling fans at Capitol Lighting showrooms and 1800lighting.com.