When planning energy efficient lighting design, you need to consider a few principles.
More lighting is not necessarily better. Human visual performance depends on light quality and quantity.
Match the amount and quality of light to the task.
Install task lighting where needed and reduce the amount of ambient light elsewhere. For example use task lighting to shine directly on the kitchen counter rather than trying to light the whole kitchen.
Use energy efficient lighting components and controls. Replacing a 60 watt incandescent bulb with a 13 watt compact flourescent bulb can save at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
Install fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling and wall mounted lights that will be on for more than two hours each day. these may include fixtures in the kitchen and, living room, and sometimes bathrooms, halls, bedrooms, and other often used locations.
Install compact fluorescent fixtures, rather than compact fluorescent lights in incandescent fixtures, for savings on electric bills.
Use compact fluorescent lamps in portable lighting fixtures that are used for more than two hours per day.
Use energy Star label lighting fixtures and lamps. energy Star approved lighting fixtures will use 75% less energy than standard incandescent lights. for example in the tortiere lamp, which delivers indirect illumination, replacing a 300 watt halogen bulb with a 55 watt compact fluorescent tourchiere bulb will save approximately $199 in electricity over the life of the compact fluorescent bulb. also the compact fluorescent bulb will last three times longer than the halogen bulb.
Install occupancy sensors for automaticly turning on and off your lights when needed. These are sometimes called smart switches and come in two types. Ultrasonic sensors detect sound and infrared sensors detect heat and motion.
Consider using light wall colours to minimise the need for artificial indoor lighting.
And the most obvious one, maximise the use of daylighting.