The Tribune

By Joshua Key

SuperGreen Solutions

Do your outdoor security lights make you feel safe? I hope so, because many Bahamians are spending $15-30 every month to run each light bulb. If you have three of them, that is about $1,000 on your electric bill per year.

To go without that security is really not an option. So how can we reduce the cost of running our much-needed security lighting?

Adding a motion sensor to your light fixture is one of the most effective ways to cut the bill. One of these can easily turn a 10-hour run time into just a few minutes. Motion sensors are great for places that only need outdoor light when somebody is outside, such as most homes. For people interested in solar lighting, an infra-red motion sensor is a must. This allows a smaller, more affordable system to be as brilliant and useful as a much larger, more costly system.

We recommend using photo controls with your security lighting. These add convenience because you no longer have to think about turning your light on and off. Do you feel embarrassed when you get home after a long day’s work, and realise you forgot to turn off your night security lights earlier that morning? Mistakes like that can add hundreds of dollars to your light bill every year. Photo controls take care of that for you. Likewise, if the sun rises before you do, your photo control will turn off your security lighting while you are asleep, saving you money. One caveat here: Try to make sure your photo control is not under direct shading, as that can trick the sensor into running the light longer than necessary.

Finally, switch out your old incandescent and metal halide light bulbs to LED bulbs. Why? These use up to 80 per cent less power to provide brilliant light. Many LEDs come with a five-year warranty, which is a great reason to buy Bahamian, since a local provider can honour a warranty that you would void if you imported the bulbs yourself.

Beyond that, the typical life expectancy is 10-15 years for a single LED light bulb. Imagine not having to change a light bulb for a decade. That is not fantasy; it is reality. It also leads to less waste in the garbage dump.

Depending on the bulb size you need, outdoor security LEDs often cost $40-400, and save $75-$300 every year. That means the money you save every month pays for the light before the warranty even expires. Itis a no-brainer investment. Just by changing your light bulbs, you can afford extra gas in the car every month, another lunch out every week or more minutes on your phone every day. And, if you get a solar version, you save even more money and eliminate the need for the electricity company altogether.

Who would have thought that a few small changes to your outdoor security lighting could makes such a big impact on the electric bill? Other Bahamians are enjoying the benefits. Talk to an energy solutions expert today so you can start saving, too.

• NB: Joshua Key is general manager for SuperGreen Solutions Bahamas, located on Wulf Road next to FYP. SuperGreen Solutions is an advisor, supplier and installer of domestic and commercial energy efficient solutions.