Does Your Home Need a Lighting Upgrade?

The average person spends 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the EPA (1). Optimizing your home or workplace with well-designed lighting impacts not only your mood but also increases your home market value and reduces energy consumption. At Solar Pathways Electrical, we understand the need for aesthetically pleasing and efficient lighting. Whether you’re doing a remodel, replacing light fixtures, or building a new house, our experienced electricians are here to make the process easier for you.

Adding Aesthetics & Increasing Home Value

Lighting is a powerful tool when creating an indoor space. It can dictate the ambiance of a room while setting the tone for an entire house. Updating old lighting can give your home a modern look and provide a great return on investment, increasing market value without costly remodeling. In Redfin’s article “Top 10 home features in the U.S. that add value,” recessed lighting ranked second over a new kitchen, quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, and open concept living. (2)

When designed correctly, lighting can bring attention to landscapes, increase safety, highlight architecture, and add character to a space. Lighting upgrades in the below areas have proven to add the most value when remodeling a home (3).

Exterior Landscaping
Entrance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Family Room

Save Money by Increasing Energy Efficiency

In addition to giving your home a face-lift, upgrading lighting can also save you money. The average American can save about $225 on energy bills by replacing old incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. (4) In 2015, 71% of residents admitted not having LED bulbs in their homes. Although this technology has gained popularity today, the energy savings they provide are not always common knowledge. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs” (5).

Another great way to save electricity is to install controls such as dimmers, motion sensors, and timers. Dimmers provide a massive benefit because they supply variable lighting that adjust to the needs of your home. Reducing their wattage and output saves electricity (6). Motion sensors and timers ensure certain lights are only turned on when needed and eliminate the risk of accidentally being left on. Our team can also integrate lighting with Smart home apps, allowing you to turn off lights from different rooms or even after leaving the house.

Lighting and Its Effect On Mood

Light can be a powerful tool when dictating the aura of a space. Furthermore, its effect on mood is well studied. There is no doubt that good lighting causes numeral biological and physiological benefits. For example, studies have shown that exposure to bright light causes significant improvement in spatial tasks. In contrast, consistent exposure to dim lighting has consequences on learning and memory (7). Furthermore, bright-light therapy has been used for decades to treat patients experiencing seasonal affective disorder and evidence suggests efficacy in chronic and bipolar depression as well (8).

With the benefits of good lighting being so prominent, it only makes sense to take advantage of its effects within the home. While natural lighting is always best, installing new light fixtures and upgrading your old ones can make a significant difference.

Time for a Lighting Upgrade?

For the price, lighting is one of the most cost-effective upgrades to your home. If you believe your home could benefit from a lighting change, reach out to our electrical team at Solar Pathways Electrical by calling (970) 449-6270.

We can help with removing dated oak lighting and brightening your space with new fixtures, recessed lighting, dimmer switches and smart home lighting integration.