Energy Saving Alternatives for Home Lighting

Home Lighting
Image: lightopedia.com

Under John Salib’s management, Castellan Real Estate Partners has grown to become a vertically integrated real estate firm with business lines devoted to investment, development, lending, and property management. To mitigate high energy costs in apartment buildings under its management, Castellan Real Estate Partners installs energy efficient lighting.

The average American household dedicates up to five percent of its annual budget to lighting. Making the switch to ENERGY STAR certified energy efficient light bulbs can easily lead to significant savings. These bulbs include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

CFLs are compact versions of the long fluorescent tube lamps and are available in a range of sizes and colors. Typically, an ENERGY STAR certified CFL uses one-quarter of the energy a traditional bulb uses to generate the same amount of light. It can also last up to nine times as long.

LEDs are by far the most common energy saving bulbs in the market. Previously used as indicator lights in vehicles, the bulbs have found a more widespread use in general illumination. And they are very efficient. An ENERGY STAR certified LED uses only 20 percent of the energy used by traditional bulbs to produce an equivalent amount of light and burns 25 times longer. Some LEDs have also been tested and approved for outdoor use; hence they can be used as pathway lights, floodlights, and porch lights.

Both CFLs and LEDs are more expensive than traditional bulbs. However, the energy savings they lead to can significantly reduce electricity bills as well as cut carbon emissions.

New York State’s Weatherization Assistance Program

 

Weatherization Assistance Program
Image: nyshcr.org

Based in New York and managed by John Salib, Castellan Real Estate Partners invests in undervalued real estate properties and renovates them to increase their value and efficiency. With a priority of improving energy efficiency in portfolio buildings, Castellan Real Estate Partners has been awarded $1.7 million in grants from the New York State Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

WAP provides financial assistance to families with low incomes to help with home improvements to reduce their heating and cooling costs. The program has assisted many people from underserved areas, particularly the elderly and people with disabilities, reduce their energy consumption and realize energy savings of more than 20 percent.

Only households with eligible incomes (below 60 percent of the state median income) can apply for weatherization assistance. For multifamily building owners to qualify, 50 percent of a building’s tenants must meet this income requirement. A typical weatherization process starts with an assessment of the individual’s home or apartment to check energy efficiency. From the results gathered, mitigating measures are then recommended. They include: sealing cracks to reduce air infiltration, insulating hot water tanks and pipes, insulating walls and attics, repairing or replacing heating systems, repairing or replacing doors and windows, installing energy efficient lighting, and correcting ventilation problems.