Lightbulb Remedies
It's the simple things that do the most good. Change a light bulb, change the world.
Why Do It?
It may seem like a small act against a global problem, but the ubiquity of the light bulb offers us the opportunity to snowball each changed bulb into an avalanche of energy savings--and about $25 per bulb after energy costs are factored in.
Option 1: When your old bulbs die out, replace them exclusively with CFL's, those twirly, swirly bulbs in multiple shapes and sizes right beside those incandescents that have been blowing out on you for years. You will most likely find a rebate coupon where you buy them, and the cost savings over time is indeed considerable. You can think of somewhere to spend that extra money, can't you?
Option 2: Turn off lights you aren't using and remember that your home isn't a Christmas tree. Wasted light is just wasted money--we're old enough not to worry about the boogeyman hiding in the shadows, aren't we?
04/12/2009: Kevin from Atlanta, GA writes: "No doubt CFL bulbs save a ton of energy, but I’ve never liked the idea of throw mercury into the garbage once they've burned out. If you bought the bulbs from IKEA, you can take them back for recycling when they burn out. They are the only store I know of with such a program. Other ways to properly dispose of CFLs include your local recycling center, garbage service and local municipality may have a program. I like saving energy and even with the mercury in the bulbs the total production and pollution ratio still has the edge going with CFL over the conventional Incandescent bulbs, and they can save up to 75% in comparison.
Phillips has reengineered a line of there CFL Bulbs to include far less mercury… about half of the industry benchmark. 2 Mg per bulb in stead of 4 to 5 Mg per bulb. Good Job Phillips. Hopefully others are soon to follow.
If anyone knows of any alternatives, please let all of us know
Thanks,
KG"
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01/10/2010: Earth Clinic Planet writes: "The phrase task lighting often refers to office lighting, but in its essence task lighting is as far as possible from the broad, shadow-free, toneless light of the typical office. At its best, task lighting is not only energy efficient but superior in terms of ambience and decorative design as well. Think of an armchair with its elegant floor lamp, snugly together in a living room corner. None too different from mood lighting, except for a bent toward productivity, task lighting is simply providing the right lamp for the purpose, a less energy intensive concept than the typical area lighting, which simply floods all spaces with light, most of which is unneeded.
Task lighting would include a desk lamp, track lighting above the kitchen sink, a reading lamp, and more specific lighting tools for work or hobby tasks. In being targeted and well planned, task lighting reduces the electrical load from your home and office lighting while providing ideal levels of light and contrast."
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