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How to Save Money on Lighting Your Home by Christopher Foos
Did You Know?
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a
light bulb that's earned the ENERGY STAR Rating, we would
save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save
about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9
billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year,
equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars. Source -
EnergyStar.gov
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a
light bulb that's earned the ENERGY STAR Rating, we would
save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save
about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9
billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year,
equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars. Source -
EnergyStar.gov
For several years now, CFL, or Compact
Fluorescent Bulbs have claimed dramatic energy
savings! ---yet most people still see them is a
sales gimmick. We are about to change that
view!
Fluorescent Bulbs have claimed dramatic energy
savings! ---yet most people still see them is a
sales gimmick. We are about to change that
view!
In shops and stores everywhere, there is a product priced at less than $3 that could change our planet. It is a ordinary, everyday item that addresses the
issues the world is facing today. Energy consumption; rising oil prices and electric bills; Greenhouse emissions; dependence on coal and foreign oil; and ultimately,
global warming.
We are speaking of the compact fluorescent bulb, a quirky-looking twist of frosted glass. One scientist calls it an "ice-cream cone spiral," because of it's
similarity in appearance to that tasty, soft-serve treat.
There has been much of us with a little experience with this cone shaped bulb, but it usually has not been good. In the early 1990s, you might step into a
room in a hotel, switch on the lights by the door or between the beds thinking, "There must be another switch somewhere that actually turns on the light." Every
one of the bulbs flickering to life was an early CFL, and not even 6 of them together provided enough light to read the card listing the t.v. channels!
issues the world is facing today. Energy consumption; rising oil prices and electric bills; Greenhouse emissions; dependence on coal and foreign oil; and ultimately,
global warming.
We are speaking of the compact fluorescent bulb, a quirky-looking twist of frosted glass. One scientist calls it an "ice-cream cone spiral," because of it's
similarity in appearance to that tasty, soft-serve treat.
There has been much of us with a little experience with this cone shaped bulb, but it usually has not been good. In the early 1990s, you might step into a
room in a hotel, switch on the lights by the door or between the beds thinking, "There must be another switch somewhere that actually turns on the light." Every
one of the bulbs flickering to life was an early CFL, and not even 6 of them together provided enough light to read the card listing the t.v. channels!
For over twenty years, these bulbs lacked in light, were noisy (that distinctive hummmm), and didn't quite fit where we needed them.
Though some of us have not noticed, but in 2010, these problems were addressed and fixed! The CFLs come on quicker, their light is
brighter and whiter, and the hum is gone. Since 1985, CFLs have changed as much as computers and mobile phones!
The one constant that has never changed is the 60-75% energy savings over incandescent light bulbs! What does this mean? If every
American household bought just one CFL bulb and replaced an ordinary 60-watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to power Las
Vegas everyday. It is also the equivalent to taking 1 million emission producing cars off the road! To top that, it saves over 2 million barrels
of oil!
Power plants produce the most greenhouse gases in the United States, and coal is the fuel used in half of all power plants. Just one
bulb swapped produces enough electricity to close two plants!
We have just mentioned switching one, but count the current light sockets in your home. 50, 75, 100, etc...? Amazing isn't it? Now
imagine everyone switching at least 5, 10, or more. The energy savings is mind boggling! Switching to CFLs pay for themselves! They use
so little power that a $3 bulb will pay for in less than 4 months!
Though some of us have not noticed, but in 2010, these problems were addressed and fixed! The CFLs come on quicker, their light is
brighter and whiter, and the hum is gone. Since 1985, CFLs have changed as much as computers and mobile phones!
The one constant that has never changed is the 60-75% energy savings over incandescent light bulbs! What does this mean? If every
American household bought just one CFL bulb and replaced an ordinary 60-watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to power Las
Vegas everyday. It is also the equivalent to taking 1 million emission producing cars off the road! To top that, it saves over 2 million barrels
of oil!
Power plants produce the most greenhouse gases in the United States, and coal is the fuel used in half of all power plants. Just one
bulb swapped produces enough electricity to close two plants!
We have just mentioned switching one, but count the current light sockets in your home. 50, 75, 100, etc...? Amazing isn't it? Now
imagine everyone switching at least 5, 10, or more. The energy savings is mind boggling! Switching to CFLs pay for themselves! They use
so little power that a $3 bulb will pay for in less than 4 months!
So far, the impact of CFL has been trivial for one reason, we haven't bought them. In our outdated experience, they don't work well and are expensive. Last year, Americans spent about $1.2
billion to buy about 1.9 billion light bulbs. That is about 5 million every day. Just 5% were CFLs. First introduced on March 28, 1980, CFLs still remain a niche product, more gimmick than
revolution.
But that's about to change. It will change before our very eyes. A year from now, chances are that you will have installed a CFL or two, and will likely be happy with them. Source - Charles Fishman
billion to buy about 1.9 billion light bulbs. That is about 5 million every day. Just 5% were CFLs. First introduced on March 28, 1980, CFLs still remain a niche product, more gimmick than
revolution.
But that's about to change. It will change before our very eyes. A year from now, chances are that you will have installed a CFL or two, and will likely be happy with them. Source - Charles Fishman
Math Time! Using the DOE average of 920 kWh per month at $0.15 a kWh, and that the typical
consumer's average lighting costs make up 11% of the bill.
consumption in a month BEFORE learning these tips and tricks!
consumer's average lighting costs make up 11% of the bill.
- $14 to light home every month using standard 60-watt incandescent light bulbs.
- $0.87 x 50 CFL replacement bulbs = $43.50 .
- 70% savings on $14 = $9.80 savings, making lighting cost $4.20
- $43.50 upfront cost will pay for itself in less than 4 and 1/2 months!
- From there on out, it is a $9.80 savings per month! or $117.60 a year!
consumption in a month BEFORE learning these tips and tricks!
| So, 70% SAVINGS on LIGHTING costs not ENOUGH?!?!? FINE! Keep reading then!!!! |
Interior Motion Sensor or Pressure Switches: If you can't remember (or can't be bothered) to turn off the lights throughout your
house, a motion-sensor switch or pressure switch will shut them off for you automatically. You can buy motion-sensing wall switches or door jamb
mounted pressure switches for as little as $10 at a home improvement store. Besides that, guests are impressed by this!
Exterior Motion Sensor Lights: No reason to keep a light on all night if nobody walks by! You can go from running outside lighting 12 hours
a night (24 hours if you forget) to 0 minutes with a motion sensor! Also, make sure landscape lighting is on a timer, and that timer is set correctly.
Morning: Instead of reaching for a lamp when you wake-up, grab for the blinds or curtains. Make use of natural light when possible.
Solar Tunnels: These are similar to skylights (ditch the skylight if it is one of those old bubble plastic ones), but instead of just adding
uninsulated, radiant heat, they funnel light through a reflective insulated tube; filling a room with natural light during the day.
Turn the LIGHTS OUT: You probably saw this tip coming. There are millions of us that forget the most simple rule of all, turn the light out
when leaving an area! This obvious tip accounts for 3% of most peoples total lighting costs!
One Better Than Two? In multiple bulb lighting fixtures, consider using just one higher watt bulb.
house, a motion-sensor switch or pressure switch will shut them off for you automatically. You can buy motion-sensing wall switches or door jamb
mounted pressure switches for as little as $10 at a home improvement store. Besides that, guests are impressed by this!
Exterior Motion Sensor Lights: No reason to keep a light on all night if nobody walks by! You can go from running outside lighting 12 hours
a night (24 hours if you forget) to 0 minutes with a motion sensor! Also, make sure landscape lighting is on a timer, and that timer is set correctly.
Morning: Instead of reaching for a lamp when you wake-up, grab for the blinds or curtains. Make use of natural light when possible.
Solar Tunnels: These are similar to skylights (ditch the skylight if it is one of those old bubble plastic ones), but instead of just adding
uninsulated, radiant heat, they funnel light through a reflective insulated tube; filling a room with natural light during the day.
Turn the LIGHTS OUT: You probably saw this tip coming. There are millions of us that forget the most simple rule of all, turn the light out
when leaving an area! This obvious tip accounts for 3% of most peoples total lighting costs!
One Better Than Two? In multiple bulb lighting fixtures, consider using just one higher watt bulb.
Last, but not Least, use the Watts that you really Need: Use lower wattage bulbs where you can. Stairwells, hallways, entryways, etc... only need
enough light to see where you are going. *Note - Obviously if security is a concern, use higher wattage equivalent fluorescent bulbs.
enough light to see where you are going. *Note - Obviously if security is a concern, use higher wattage equivalent fluorescent bulbs.
There has been a myth circulating about possible mercury poisoning from a broken CFL bulb. Though it is true that CFL bulbs carry a small
percentage of mercury, .07 mcg to be exact, a common can of tuna fish carries about 3.6 mcg of mercury! Unless you are planning a CFL bulb breaking
party, the risk to exposure of one broken bulb is even below what some would classify as minimal.
percentage of mercury, .07 mcg to be exact, a common can of tuna fish carries about 3.6 mcg of mercury! Unless you are planning a CFL bulb breaking
party, the risk to exposure of one broken bulb is even below what some would classify as minimal.
