Try a few of these energy saving tips using new green products to put cash back in your pocket unless of course you are trying to do your part to keep your electric company's revenues up.
Install only compact fluorescent light bulbs
A Compact Fluorescent Lamp (or CFL) is a small circular fluorescent light bulb used to replace incandescent bulbs. They typically take the same amount of space as an old incandescent bulb, and screw right into the same socket.
CFLs produce light on a different principle than incandescent bulbs. When an incandescent bulb is turned on, current is sent through a wire filament. The filament heats up until it starts to glow, and the glow produces light. A CFL is a sealed tube of glass filled with argon gas. Mixed with the argon is some mercury vapor. When an electrical current is applied, an invisible ultraviolet light is generated. When the ultraviolet light hits the fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube, visible light is emitted.
You have heard this before, but unless you are only going to turn on that incandescent bulb a couple of times a year, you are wasting money (no matter how cheap the bulb is). Green products help you save money. One of the new Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) saves around 75% over an equivalent incandescent bulb. In one year, that could add up to a $30 savings - per bulb!
Since the development of CFLs, manufacturers have been working on a variety of shades, colors, or "temperatures" of light. Currently you can purchase bulbs that will produce light that is yellow, or warn, all the way to bulbs that produce a hard bluish white light. Used properly, this can accent a well designed room or be used for mood lighting. One area you might want to consider is the outside security lighting. I would not recommend a warm inviting mood light if it is being used as security device; perhaps an unfriendly harsh bluish mood would be better.
When using the Daylight or bluish bulbs be aware that their light appears harsh to many. People with light sensitivity could be adversely affected. If you notice them squinting or avoiding areas where this light is used, then try using a warmer light.
Look on the package for a number that ends in K. This stands for Kelvin or the "temperature" of the bulb. A Kelvin rating of 2700K-3000K is a warm/yellow bulb. A Cool White bulb has a rating of 3500K-4100K. A rating of 5000K-6500K is a Daylight blue bulb.
To replace a 40 watt incandescent bulb, use a 9-13 watt CFL bulb; for a 60 watt incandescent bulb use a 13-15 watt; for a 75 watt incandescent bulb use an 18-25 watt CFL; and for a 100 watt incandescent bulb, use a 23-30 watt CFL.
Nevertheless, do not forget to recycle all CFLs. California law for example forbids the disposal of any lamps containing mercury in the regular solid waste trash. Even though a CFL is one of the most convenient green products, it does contain about five milligrams of mercury - one-fifth of the amount of mercury in an average watch battery.
Many retailers in your area like ACE Hardware, Home Depot and Orchard have recycling programs that will accept your used CFL green products.
An even newer and more efficient green product for lighting is LED (light emitting diode) bulbs. They are up to 90% more efficient than a standard incandescent bulb. You will see them used more and more in decorative lighting systems. I am told that the electricity needed to light a single incandescent used a few years ago for lawn lighting could power 15 LED units.
We will look at more green products that help you reduce your energy bill next time.
Michael
Install only compact fluorescent light bulbs
A Compact Fluorescent Lamp (or CFL) is a small circular fluorescent light bulb used to replace incandescent bulbs. They typically take the same amount of space as an old incandescent bulb, and screw right into the same socket.
CFLs produce light on a different principle than incandescent bulbs. When an incandescent bulb is turned on, current is sent through a wire filament. The filament heats up until it starts to glow, and the glow produces light. A CFL is a sealed tube of glass filled with argon gas. Mixed with the argon is some mercury vapor. When an electrical current is applied, an invisible ultraviolet light is generated. When the ultraviolet light hits the fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube, visible light is emitted.
You have heard this before, but unless you are only going to turn on that incandescent bulb a couple of times a year, you are wasting money (no matter how cheap the bulb is). Green products help you save money. One of the new Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) saves around 75% over an equivalent incandescent bulb. In one year, that could add up to a $30 savings - per bulb!
Since the development of CFLs, manufacturers have been working on a variety of shades, colors, or "temperatures" of light. Currently you can purchase bulbs that will produce light that is yellow, or warn, all the way to bulbs that produce a hard bluish white light. Used properly, this can accent a well designed room or be used for mood lighting. One area you might want to consider is the outside security lighting. I would not recommend a warm inviting mood light if it is being used as security device; perhaps an unfriendly harsh bluish mood would be better.
When using the Daylight or bluish bulbs be aware that their light appears harsh to many. People with light sensitivity could be adversely affected. If you notice them squinting or avoiding areas where this light is used, then try using a warmer light.
Look on the package for a number that ends in K. This stands for Kelvin or the "temperature" of the bulb. A Kelvin rating of 2700K-3000K is a warm/yellow bulb. A Cool White bulb has a rating of 3500K-4100K. A rating of 5000K-6500K is a Daylight blue bulb.
To replace a 40 watt incandescent bulb, use a 9-13 watt CFL bulb; for a 60 watt incandescent bulb use a 13-15 watt; for a 75 watt incandescent bulb use an 18-25 watt CFL; and for a 100 watt incandescent bulb, use a 23-30 watt CFL.
Nevertheless, do not forget to recycle all CFLs. California law for example forbids the disposal of any lamps containing mercury in the regular solid waste trash. Even though a CFL is one of the most convenient green products, it does contain about five milligrams of mercury - one-fifth of the amount of mercury in an average watch battery.
Many retailers in your area like ACE Hardware, Home Depot and Orchard have recycling programs that will accept your used CFL green products.
An even newer and more efficient green product for lighting is LED (light emitting diode) bulbs. They are up to 90% more efficient than a standard incandescent bulb. You will see them used more and more in decorative lighting systems. I am told that the electricity needed to light a single incandescent used a few years ago for lawn lighting could power 15 LED units.
We will look at more green products that help you reduce your energy bill next time.
Michael
No comments:
Post a Comment