Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Posted By: Renee Castillo

Are you still trying to avoid switching to more energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs? Well, I visited Energy Star’s website and found a few facts about the bulbs that may convince you to do the simple switch.

· If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gasses equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

· Energy Star qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

· Fluorescent light bulbs save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime.

· Fluorescent light bulbs produce about 75 percent less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.

Although fluorescent light bulbs are great for energy saving, they do have a downside. Fluorescent light bulbs usually contain 8 to 14 milligrams of mercury in the form of vapor, liquid or sold form (www.epa.gov). The compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) must be disposed in a responsible manner due to mercury’s harmfulness. You can find information about your local household hazardous waste collection facility, to see if they will accept CFL bulbs, by following the link below.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/live.htm

Most sites will not charge any fees but those who do are usually minimal. It is important you find out how often your local hazardous waste collection program accepts hazardous items because some only offer a once or twice a year drop-off.

More efficient low-mercury light bulbs are available and only contain 3.5 to 4 milligrams of mercury. Some manufactures of the low-mercury bulbs have conveniently identified the bulbs with a metal end cap that is painted green and the bulbs are sometimes referred to as “green-tip” bulbs. Others have been identified with a green etching on the lamps, while others are not identified at all.

Now that you have decided to switch from your more expensive and energy sucking traditional light bulbs visit Energy Stars' website for more information to determining which CFLs are best for your home.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls

Posted By: Renee Castillo

Comments