It seems winter is never far away in these parts and neither are the winter blues. Being basically housebound for months at a time due to the extreme cold, snow, wind and more is bad enough. But perhaps the hardest thing to deal with come winter time is the darkness. For the most part it’s just accepted by folks in the GTA. After all, there’s not much you can do about it. Or is there?
Homestars has an interesting blog post up where they delve into the subject of winter light deficit and how best to counteract its enervating effects. In the article they interview our own Hotwire Electric lighting expert Hanna and get her suggestions about the most effective ways to combat the winter blues with interior lighting. As usual Hanna has a lot of great suggestions beginning with timers:
“Timers are a must, they automatically adjust for daylight savings and help ensure your home is safe and lit when arriving home during those long dark winter months.”
Having your lights on timers actually makes a lot of sense both from a safety standpoint, as Hanna pointed out, and from the standpoint of keeping your mood up. Because as numerous studies have shown having the house properly lit up when you get home helps you maintain a positive attitude and stave off the winter doldrums.
Yes, But is it Environmentally Responsible?
Aware that turning the lights on earlier and leaving them on longer isn’t exactly the kind of message folks are used to hearing in this age of conservation Hanna wisely mentions ultra-efficient, ultra-long lasting LED bulbs.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology represents the largest leap forward in lighting technology since the light bulb itself. LED bulbs use only a tiny fraction of the energy incandescents use to generate the same amount of light. And not only that, they’ll last for up to 20 years. That’s right, 20 years. The bottom line is you can turn the LEDs on earlier, keep them on longer and still retain your environmental credibility while simultaneously saving a boatload of money on your electric bill.
Other Ways to Keep Your Energy Bills in Check This Winter
It’s important from a mental and emotional standpoint to provide yourself and your family members with adequate light during the winter. And while LED bulbs are often just what the doctor ordered from a financial and practical standpoint they’re not the only ways to keep you winter time energy consumption from eating a hole in your bank account. Hanna’s suggestion? Motion sensors:
“Sensors throughout walk in closets, hallways, basements, and laundry rooms are another way to help ensure lights come on when entering an area and turn off automatically when leaving. This ensures no extra energy is left on when the lights are not in use.”
Home for the Holidays
Before wrapping Hanna was asked about ways folks can keep their lighting costs in check during the holiday season when lavish light displays are often expected. Her suggestion:
“To enhance your Holiday parties, you can easily and quickly add a beautiful centre light or add in some retrofit pot lights to illuminate the space. This job can be quickly done and with minor inconvenience…”
Sounds like a great way to add a holiday touch without adding another big holiday related bill.
Stay Lit, Stay Light
Wintertime in the GTA brings with it a darkness many find oppressive. But the winter blues don’t have to get the better of you. By instituting a few of Hanna’s common sense lighting tips you can keep the lights on and keep your spirits up without sending yourself to the poor house or contributing to climate change.