Many homes use outdoor lighting for decoration and security. Low-voltage pathway lighting, flood lights, small photovoltaic module lights that convert sun light directly into electricity consider PV-powered lights for areas that are not close to an existing power supply line.

Landscape lighting around a pool can look absolutely stunning. Lighting fixtures that point up into trees and down onto boulders as well as fiber optic lighting inside the pool can create a fantastic glow.

Any electrician or lighting professional will tell you that increasing your lighting efficiency is one of the fastest ways to decrease your energy bills. Fluorescent lights will save you about 48% of your lighting energy bill.

Use linear fluorescent lights and energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in fixtures throughout your home to provide high-quality and high-efficiency lighting. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 6 to 10 times longer. Although fluorescent lights and compact fluorescent lamps are more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, they pay for themselves by saving energy over their lifetime.

Some other ways to save on your energy bill in regards lighting is to turn off the lights in any room you're not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on. Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops under cabinets. You can also consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary. Install 4-foot fluorescent light fixtures with reflective backing and electronic ballasts for your workroom, garage, and laundry areas. Take advantage of day light by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect day light. Consider using 4-watt mini-fluorescent light or electro-luminescent night lights. Both lights are much more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. The luminescent lights are cool to the touch.