Retrofit the fixtures
Lower your energy expenditures by 'retrofitting' or modifying your fixtures. It may be necessary when delamping or relamping don't give you sufficient light output. One or more of the following may be best for your fixture retrofit:

• Installing high efficiency ballasts. The new ballasts will use less electricity, and electronic ones will use the least.
• Installing reflectors that will 'bounce' more light out of the fixtures. Reflectors may enable you to use fewer or lower wattage lamps and still achieve acceptable lighting levels.
• Replacing yellowed or hazy lenses, diffusers, and globes with new ones that will remain brighter and clearer and transmit more light.

Install more efficient lamps
One of the most effective ways to make lighting more energy efficient is to use the most efficient lamp that is suitable for the purpose. The more lumens per watt, the more efficient the lamp is.

Install more efficient lamps in recessed downlights
Don't use standard light bulbs in recessed downlights. Use a reflector lamp instead. Because of its design, a lower wattage reflector lamp can project the same amount of light as the higher wattage standard bulb.

Use halogen lamps where appropriate
When you need a tight beam, such as for highlighting a merchandise display, a reflector halogen will provide dramatic lighting with significant energy savings (you may find you can use a 90-watt halogen PAR instead of a 150-watt conventional PAR0.

Replace incandescents with compact fluorescents
The conventional screw-in incandescent light bulb not only is extremely inefficient, it also has a very short life and must be replaced frequently. When you figure the true cost, the ordinary light bulb is not a bargain!

Compact fluorescents are available in a wide variety of styles to suit most lighting needs, with reflectors and extenders that can make them fit and work well in a variety of fixtures. They are available either as one-piece screw-in units that incorporate the ballast, or as modular units where the tube can be separated from the base/ballast when the lamp burns out.

Most compact fluorescents have lifetimes of 9,000 to 10,000 hours. The ballasts in modular units, available in both magnetic and more efficient electronic versions, last 40,000 to 50,000 hours.

How to Save $37 on a Light Bulb

Comparing total costs over 10,000 hours for a compact fluorescent and an incandescent

* This is approximate, typical cost for compact. You probably can get compacts at even lower prices, especially when buying in quantity.
** Dollars rounded.
Savings from labor to change incandescents not included.

Source: "How to Reduce Your Energy Costs." Advantage Publications and Insights, Boston, MA 1996.

Retrofit your exit signs
Exit signs typically contain two or more small incandescent lamps, which use a total of 20 to 50 watts and last from 2,000 to 5,000 hours. Replace these 'energy deficient' lamps with energy efficient replacements.

Install occupancy sensors
When people are unlikely to remember to turn lights off, an occupancy sensor is probably the answer. This is an easy-to-install motion detecting device that will turn lights on and off automatically in an individual space such as a private office, restroom, or storage area. The three types of sensors include ultrasonic, infrared, and ultrasonic/infrared. Many sensors cost less than $100, installed.