Lighting: Counting Your Green
It is almost crazy to realize that you spend over 25% of your energy budget on lighting.
However, most households do.
There is something you can do about that - change your light bulbs.
These relatively simple changes can lower your electric bill and create some more green for your wallet.
Not everyone can afford to use LED lights throughout their homes and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) are a great alternative.
These too have revolutionized the lighting industry.
CFLs are small versions of a full sized fluorescent light.
They screw right into any standard lamp socket.
They also give off light that looks just like an incandescent bulb.
These aren't the fluorescents from our youth - the ones you think of in schools and factories.
These are much better for everyone.
Why use CFL lighting?First, CFLs last ten times as long as an incandescent light bulb.
They are also four times as efficient.
A 22 W CFL has the same light output as a 100 W incandescent.
They also use 50% - 80% less energy than an incandescent bulb.
CFLs can be used anywhere incandescent lights are currently being used -- recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures, and even porch lights.
You can get 3 way and dimmable CFLs (just make sure you check the packaging)!They give a warm, inviting light too and don't flicker or hum.
CFLs are less expensive.
Initially, they are more expensive than an incandescent bulb.
However, your money savings are in the long run.
They use 1/3 the energy and last ten times as long!One 18 W CFL will save about 750 kWh over its lifetime (compared to a 75 W incandescent).
That equals a $45 savings over the lifetime of that bulb!(That is using 8 cents per kWh).
Now, count how many light bulbs you have in your home and pull out a calculator!How can you not afford to use CFLs in your home?Also, did you know that replacing an incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb?Just think - if everyone used energy efficient lighting, how many power plants we could close.
Once you have decided that you want to try CFLs in your home, you need to consider a few things.
First, you need to choose your preferred light quality.
These bulbs have a Kelvin listing on their packaging.
CFLs with Kelvin (K) number between 2700-3000 give off a soft bright light like an incandescent.
K numbers between 3500 - 6000 give off a bright light.
The higher the number on the K scale, the light will start to get bluish.
Next, CFL are available in different size and shapes.
You need to find out what you need.
Lastly, you need to match the lumens to the incandescent you are replacing.
Lumens indicate the amount of light that is being generated.
This chart will help you do that:
Incandescent WattsCFL Watt RangeLumen Range 40 8 - 10450 60 13 - 18890 75 18 - 22 1210 100 23 - 28 1750 150 34 - 42 2780 With comparable lighting choices, how can you not look at CFLs as a lighting choice in your home?The cost savings alone is worth changing the lights in your home.
However, the added benefit of helping to green the earth just makes it worth doing all the more.
How much more "green" could you save in your wallet making the light bulb change?
However, most households do.
There is something you can do about that - change your light bulbs.
These relatively simple changes can lower your electric bill and create some more green for your wallet.
Not everyone can afford to use LED lights throughout their homes and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) are a great alternative.
These too have revolutionized the lighting industry.
CFLs are small versions of a full sized fluorescent light.
They screw right into any standard lamp socket.
They also give off light that looks just like an incandescent bulb.
These aren't the fluorescents from our youth - the ones you think of in schools and factories.
These are much better for everyone.
Why use CFL lighting?First, CFLs last ten times as long as an incandescent light bulb.
They are also four times as efficient.
A 22 W CFL has the same light output as a 100 W incandescent.
They also use 50% - 80% less energy than an incandescent bulb.
CFLs can be used anywhere incandescent lights are currently being used -- recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures, and even porch lights.
You can get 3 way and dimmable CFLs (just make sure you check the packaging)!They give a warm, inviting light too and don't flicker or hum.
CFLs are less expensive.
Initially, they are more expensive than an incandescent bulb.
However, your money savings are in the long run.
They use 1/3 the energy and last ten times as long!One 18 W CFL will save about 750 kWh over its lifetime (compared to a 75 W incandescent).
That equals a $45 savings over the lifetime of that bulb!(That is using 8 cents per kWh).
Now, count how many light bulbs you have in your home and pull out a calculator!How can you not afford to use CFLs in your home?Also, did you know that replacing an incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb?Just think - if everyone used energy efficient lighting, how many power plants we could close.
Once you have decided that you want to try CFLs in your home, you need to consider a few things.
First, you need to choose your preferred light quality.
These bulbs have a Kelvin listing on their packaging.
CFLs with Kelvin (K) number between 2700-3000 give off a soft bright light like an incandescent.
K numbers between 3500 - 6000 give off a bright light.
The higher the number on the K scale, the light will start to get bluish.
Next, CFL are available in different size and shapes.
You need to find out what you need.
Lastly, you need to match the lumens to the incandescent you are replacing.
Lumens indicate the amount of light that is being generated.
This chart will help you do that:
Incandescent WattsCFL Watt RangeLumen Range 40 8 - 10450 60 13 - 18890 75 18 - 22 1210 100 23 - 28 1750 150 34 - 42 2780 With comparable lighting choices, how can you not look at CFLs as a lighting choice in your home?The cost savings alone is worth changing the lights in your home.
However, the added benefit of helping to green the earth just makes it worth doing all the more.
How much more "green" could you save in your wallet making the light bulb change?
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