Lighting Strategies for Summer Energy Efficiency

Summer energy use can climb fast in Wisconsin. Air conditioning runs harder, lights stay on longer during busy evenings, garages and workshops see more use, and businesses often rely on exterior lighting, display lighting, and security lighting well after closing time.

One of the easiest ways to improve summer efficiency is also one of the most overlooked: your lighting system.

For homeowners, businesses, and light industrial properties, better lighting can reduce wasted electricity, lower indoor heat gain, improve safety, and help your electrical system work more efficiently during peak cooling season. Ebert Electric provides residential, commercial, and industrial electrical services throughout New London, Omro, and Northeast Wisconsin, including lighting installation, panel upgrades, dedicated circuits, and energy-efficient upgrades.

Why lighting matters more during summer

Lighting affects your energy bill in two ways. First, it uses electricity directly. Second, older lighting produces unnecessary heat, which makes your air conditioner work harder.

That means outdated bulbs, inefficient fixtures, poorly placed lights, and lights left running in unused rooms can create a double hit: more power used by the lights and more power used by cooling equipment.

For homes, this can show up as higher utility bills during June, July, and August. For businesses, it can mean wasted operating costs across sales floors, offices, warehouses, parking areas, and exterior security zones.

If your property still relies on older lighting or basic switches, June is the right time to make upgrades before summer demand peaks.

1. Upgrade to LED lighting where it counts most

LED lighting is one of the most practical energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and businesses. Compared to older incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lighting, LEDs use less electricity, generate less heat, and typically last longer.

For homeowners, LED upgrades are especially useful in:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Garages
• Basements
• Outdoor fixtures
• Workshops
• Utility rooms

For businesses, the biggest opportunities are usually:

• Retail sales floors
• Offices
• Exterior wall packs
• Parking lot lighting
• Warehouses
• Shop areas
• Signage lighting
• Hallways and restrooms

Ebert Electric’s commercial electrical services include LED lighting retrofits, exterior security lighting, lighting installation, and control systems, making this a strong summer upgrade for stores, offices, shops, and commercial properties.

2. Use lighting controls to stop wasting power

A lighting upgrade is not just about replacing fixtures. Controls matter.

During summer, lights are often left on in spaces that are only used part of the day. That is where smart controls, motion sensors, dimmers, and timers can make a real difference.

Consider adding:

• Motion sensors in bathrooms, storage rooms, garages, and utility areas
• Dimmers in living rooms, offices, conference rooms, and common areas
• Timers for exterior lights and signage
• Photocells for dusk-to-dawn outdoor lighting
• Zoned lighting controls for larger commercial spaces

For homeowners, this improves convenience and cuts down on wasted electricity. For businesses, it helps reduce operating costs without relying on employees to remember every switch.

Ebert Electric’s residential electrical services include outlet, switch, dimmer, interior lighting, and exterior lighting installation for homes in the area.

3. Reduce cooling demand with lower-heat lighting

This is where many property owners miss the bigger picture.

Old lights do not just use more electricity. They also add heat to the building. In summer, that heat has to be removed by your cooling system.

That matters even more in rooms with:

• Recessed lights
• Track lighting
• Display lighting
• Under-cabinet lighting
• Commercial showroom lighting
• High-bay shop lighting
• Long daily operating hours

Switching to efficient lighting can help reduce the internal heat load, especially in areas where lights are on for hours at a time. It will not replace proper HVAC maintenance, but it can support a cooler, more efficient building.

For retail spaces and offices, this can also improve customer and employee comfort. Nobody wants to shop, work, or meet in a space that feels warmer because the lighting system is working against the air conditioner.

4. Plan for inverter-driven appliances and modern electrical loads

More homes and businesses are moving toward inverter-driven technology, including modern HVAC systems, heat pumps, variable-speed equipment, and energy-efficient appliances.

These systems can be efficient, but they also make electrical planning more important. If your property is adding new cooling equipment, upgrading appliances, installing EV charging, or remodeling, your panel and circuits need to be evaluated before everything is tied together.

Lighting upgrades are a smart time to ask:

• Is the electrical panel properly sized for current and future demand?
• Are circuits overloaded or poorly labeled?
• Are new lighting zones being added to already crowded circuits?
• Will future HVAC, EV, or equipment upgrades require dedicated power?
• Should a panel upgrade or service change be considered now?

Ebert Electric handles panel upgrades, service changes, power distribution, dedicated circuits, equipment circuits, and service upgrades for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

5. Improve exterior lighting without overusing electricity

Summer means more activity outside. Homeowners use patios, garages, sheds, and driveways later into the evening. Businesses rely on parking lot lighting, storefront lighting, loading areas, and security lighting.

The goal is not just “more light.” The goal is better light in the right places.

For homes, exterior lighting can improve:

• Walkway safety
• Driveway visibility
• Patio usability
• Garage access
• Security around doors and outbuildings

For businesses, exterior lighting can improve:

• Customer safety
• Employee visibility after closing
• Parking lot security
• Building appearance
• Signage visibility
• Delivery and loading-zone safety

The key is proper fixture placement, efficient LED lighting, and controls that prevent lights from running all day or lighting areas that do not need it.

6. Use task lighting instead of lighting entire rooms

Task lighting is a simple but effective strategy. Instead of lighting a whole room at full brightness, you light the specific area where work is happening.

Good places for task lighting include:

• Kitchen counters
• Home offices
• Workbenches
• Laundry areas
• Retail checkout counters
• Commercial desks
• Shop tables
• Equipment stations

This can reduce the need for full-room overhead lighting and improve visibility where it matters most.

For businesses, task lighting can also improve productivity and safety. For homeowners, it makes everyday spaces more comfortable without wasting energy.

7. Replace outdated fluorescent fixtures in garages, shops, and commercial spaces

Older fluorescent fixtures are common in garages, basements, offices, warehouses, and shop spaces. They can flicker, hum, perform poorly in certain conditions, and waste more energy than modern LED alternatives.

A summer lighting retrofit can make these spaces:

• Brighter
• Safer
• More efficient
• Easier to work in
• Less expensive to maintain

For commercial and industrial properties, better lighting can also support safety, visibility, and workflow. Ebert Electric’s industrial electrical services include high-bay lighting and energy-efficient upgrades for demanding environments.



8. Do not ignore wiring, panels, and circuit safety

Lighting upgrades should be efficient, but they also need to be safe.

Adding fixtures, exterior lighting, smart switches, dimmers, or commercial lighting controls without checking the wiring can create problems. Older properties may have undersized circuits, outdated wiring, crowded panels, or previous DIY work that needs correction.

Warning signs include:

• Flickering lights
• Breakers tripping
• Buzzing switches
• Warm outlets or switch plates
• Lights dimming when equipment starts
• Extension cords used as permanent power
• Panels with poor labeling or no open space

If you see any of these, do not treat lighting as a cosmetic upgrade only. Get the electrical system evaluated.

Internal link: Schedule service through Ebert Electric at https://www.ebertelectric.com/contact

Summer lighting checklist for homeowners and businesses

Before peak summer heat hits, walk through your property and check:

• Are older bulbs or fluorescent fixtures still in use?
• Are exterior lights running during daylight hours?
• Are storage rooms, garages, or bathrooms left lit when empty?
• Are fixtures creating unnecessary heat indoors?
• Are dimmers or motion sensors installed where they make sense?
• Are outdoor lights bright enough for safety but not wasting power?
• Is your panel ready for added cooling, appliances, or future upgrades?

Small lighting changes can add up quickly, especially when they reduce both electrical use and cooling demand.

Make your lighting work smarter this summer

June is the perfect time to improve lighting efficiency before the hottest part of the season. Whether you are upgrading a home, refreshing a retail space, improving exterior security lighting, or planning for modern inverter-driven equipment, the right electrical strategy can make your property safer, cooler, and more efficient.

Ebert Electric serves homeowners, businesses, and industrial facilities across New London, Omro, Oshkosh, Appleton, Green Bay, Shawano, and surrounding Northeast Wisconsin communities.

Contact Ebert Electric today to discuss lighting upgrades, panel capacity, dedicated circuits, and summer-ready electrical improvements.