Energy Savings Calculation for Lighting

How to Calculate Energy Savings for Lighting: Is there any difference in the energy savings if I replace light bulbs in a regular 120 volt fixture or in a 12 Vac low voltage fixture?

Calculating Energy Savings
[ad#block]Electrical Question: Is there any difference in the energy savings calculation if I replace light bulbs in a regular line voltage (120Vac) fixture or in a low-voltage (12Vac) fixture?

• I am replacing an MR16, 20W halogen with an 8W LED in a 12Vac lighting fixture.
• I want to calculate energy savings. Do I just use the difference in bulb wattage times my electricity cost ($0.08543/Kwh), or do I need to include the power rating of the low-voltage transformer in the savings calculation.
• The LED bulb has integrated driver. I can just swap out the bulbs, with no additional wiring or equip modifications.

Thank you for your response.

Additional Comments: Great site.
Background: Doug, a Homeowner from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Doug.

Energy Savings Calculation

Note: It is important to note that watts are watts, no matter what the voltage will be.

How to Calculate Energy Savings for Lighting

• The Energy Saving Calculation for Lighting is produced when we know the following:
  • The total number of watts of the light fixture for all the lamps.
  • The number of hours the light fixture will be turned on.
  • The cost of electricity, which is the KWH rate as provided on your electrical utility invoice.

Example:
Watts x Hours x Cost Per KWH /1000 = Cost/Savings

Note: Keep in  mind that the KWH Rate is Cost Per 1000 Watt Hours so you will have to divide the results by 1000.

The Advantages of New Technologies in Lighting
The energy saving advantages of new technology lighting is that the amount of light that is produced is comparable to most older lights, except the new lights consume less watts while producing a high lumen amount of light.

More about Energy Savings and Home Electrical Wiring

How to Save on Energy

Home Energy Savings

Methods that show how to start saving energy right away for very little investment compared to the savings you will realize.

Lighting for the Home

Planning and Installing Home Lighting

Home lighting articles covering recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, lighting terminology and more.

Home Electrical Power Quality

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

More articles about Calculations, Energy Savings and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous	Next »
Outdoor Lighting and GFCI Protection	Electrical Wiring for a Dishwasher and Disposal Outlet