By Carolina Ruiz Vega

Choosing LED lighting can benefit the environment and your personal finances in  Liberia.

A worldwide growing energy demand in a context of scarce energy resources has resulted in an increase of energy prices in recent years. This situation can be felt in Liberia and across Costa Rica.

According to the World Economic Forum, lightning demands almost 20% of electricity consumption. Experts estimate that 18% of the energy we consume at home is dedicated to the lighting and the percentage reaches 30% in working spaces.

However, that figure could be less, says Laurence Vega, Product Manager at Sylvania in Costa Rica: “Replacing old technology for newer tech could save you up to 90% of your energy bill.”

How can you save this much? Using more natural light and turning off light bulbs when they are not in use is the first step. In Liberia and many other communities in Costa Rica, sunshine is plentiful on a year-round basis; the trick is to take advantage of it. Another strategy to contribute in this reduction effort is to change existing light bulbs and replace less efficient technologies, such as incandescent lights and fluorescent lights, with LED devices.

Incandescent bulbs are the less efficient of all because their operation consumes more energy than modern technologies.

LED, on the other hand, is a highly efficient technology. “Its implementation could really save you money and help save the planet,” Mr. Vega affirms. “LED light is brighter, which achieves energy savings of up to 90% without losing power in the quantity and quality of light. Thus, greater efficiency is achieved”, Vega explains.

Moreover, its lifetime is much longer than that one of conventional lights: LED life ranges from about 15,000 hours to 80,000 hours. Incandescent bulbs, on the contrary, last about 1,000 hours; fluorescent bulbs provide less than 10,000 hours of use.

Additionally, LED technology has another advantage: it exists in a wide variety of designs and colors, which is useful in home decor for adding beauty and modernity, assures Sergio Campos, Project manager of Sylvania.

OTHER TIPS TO HELP YOUR WALLET WHILE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT IN COSTA RICA

1. Make the most out of natural light

2. Choose directional lighting by strategically placing LED light bulbs

3. Turn off lights that are not being used; install motion sensors to automate that task

4. Clean light filters regularly, as well as the reflectors and tubes

5. Use dimmers to regulate the light output