Staying with the theme that Lee Ann started last month, I wanted to discuss another energy efficient tip that is not always on our minds.
LIGHT BULBS
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL): Replacing your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs. The CFLs use 50-80% less energy than incandescents and lasts up to 10 times longer too! One website showed a savings of $47 per month in electricity costs! (In the average household, compared to incandescent bulbs.)
Progress Energy, the electric supplier in Cary, NC and the surrounding areas has a page on their website that is dedicated to CFLs. (They also have a number of other energy savings ideas, check it out…) There is also the reduction in air and water pollution. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions and sulfur oxide. CFLs are versatile too. You can use them in almost any household application. They do cost a little more than incandescents ($2.98), but the savings is in the long run.
There are some limitations to consider too:
- On/Off Cycling. CFLs are sensitive to frequent turning on and off. Your closets are probably not a good place for a CFL.
- Dimmers. Although there are CFLs for dimmers, be sure you have that one specifically. A regular CFL may have a much shorter life span when used with a dimmer switch.
- Outdoors. A CFL used outside should be protected form the elements. Check the packaging before putting a CFL outside.
- Spotlight vs Area Lighting. These are great for area lighting, but not for targeted lighting.
- Mercury Content. A CFL generally contains an average of 5 mg of mercury (one-fifth of that in the average watch battery and less than one-one hundreths of the mercury in an amalgam dental filling). But mercury is a toxic metal. Be sure to dispose of these properly and to take caution if you break one.
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes): Are there any other options? Yep, LEDs. 
LEDs are small solid light bulbs that are extremely durable and energy efficient. You have seen them places, but may not have noticed. The next time you are sitting at a stop light, really look at the light. Is it one large red circle or hundreds of tiny lights making up a circle? Chances are it is the latter. Why has the state or city decided to change the lights to LEDs? They are long lasting and energy efficient. LEDs last 10 times longer than CFLs and 133 times longer than incandescents. LEDs also use very little energy. Traffic lights with LEDs use at least 80% less electricity. Makes sense, doesn’t it? One website showed a savings of $55.47 per month in electricity costs (in the average household, compared to incandescent bulbs). There are other benefits as well. LEDs do not have a filament, so they can handle applications like flashlights and headlamps. They also do not cause heat build up. LEDs produce 3.4 btu’s/hour compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs.
As with all things, there are some limitations to consider with LEDs too:
- Cost. The cost of LEDs continue to decrease, while the types of LEDs available continue to increase. An LED bulb designed to replace a 25 watt incandescent bulb may cost around $40. (No, that is really $40!) Obviously the cost savings is in the long run.
- Light field. LEDs give off focused light. This makes them perfect for things like flashlights, reading lights, spot lights, etc. New designs are addressing this so that 360 degrees of light can radiate, like an incandescent bulb.
So, have I run out and bought CFLs or LEDs for my house? Not quite. The cost for the LEDs is still holding me back and I don’t want to put in CFLs where there is constant on/off cycling. I have put CFL bulbs in places that are not easily reached or almost always on, like the garage ceiling lights and the light above my sink in the kitchen.
Energy efficient homes aren’t only good for the environment and your wallet, they are a good thing when you need to move. People are becoming more and more conscious of that ‘extra’ cost when buying a home. What will it cost to heat, cool, or light it? Everyone wants to save money with the necessities.
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