Lighting
By Bruce Lee Deuley - 12/3/03

Although there is still a lot to be done out side in your lawn and garden this time of the year, lets move inside and see what can be done to save you a little money and help with the” greening of America”.

Photo credit: NREL PIX number 07737

If we all replaced the five most used light fixtures in our homes with compact fluorescent bulbs, the nation would save 800 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity consumption. That is equivalent to shutting down 21 power plants across the nation according to the Energy Department.

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are initially more expensive than their incandescent counter parts but they last at least ten times as long and use about ¼ of the amount of electricity it takes a regular light bulb (incandescent) for a given amount of light and yet produce only about ¼ the amount of heat. As an added benefit, the Energy Department estimates, utility companies would emit about a trillion fewer pounds of the types of gasses that contribute to global warming and air pollution if we all switched out our five most used light fixtures.

Just how much electricity can the use of CFLs save the average home owner is a little difficult to estimate but, In a home in which an average of ten 100-watt bulbs are left on for an average of 5 hours a day, the savings would amount to about 1350 kilowatt hours each year - approximately $100 worth of electricity.

While out shopping this holiday season, why not buy you and your family a gift that really does keep on giving back. Purchase and replace some of your most used light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. It will do us all some good.

ADVANTAGES
Requires only 1/4 as much electricity
Saves money - far in excess of its price
Long-lasting (typically 10,000 hours)
Saves on air conditioning by producing less heat
Operates much cooler to the touch
DISADVANTAGES
Higher initial cost makes them unsuitable for rarely-used fixtures
Larger bulb may not fit in some light fixtures
Often requires about a second to light
Requires about 15-30 seconds to approach maximum brightness
Dim in cold locations
Cannot usually be used with a dimmer switch