Energy Efficient Bulbs
Energy-Efficient Bulbs: Halogen Vs. Fluorescent Vs. Incandescent
Some light bulbs are better than others for the environment, and in order to find out which ones are better, simply compare them by how much energy they need to produce light. Both halogen and incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a tungsten filament with an electrical current. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), on the other hand, create light through an entirely different mechanism. The fluorescent gas inside ...
Energy-Efficient Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs, also known as compact fluorescent lamps, use much less energy than incandescent light bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if each home replaced a single regular bulb with a CFL bulb, the nation would save approximately $600 million in energy costs and enough energy to illuminate 3 million homes for 12 months. This single action would also prevent the release ...
Recycling Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, use around 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs with the same light output. CFLs cost more than normal bulbs, but the energy savings, which can exceed $40 for one bulb over its lifetime, easily outweigh the initial cost (see References 1). CFLs contain mercury, a toxin, and putting them in the regular trash can endanger sanitation workers and pollute groundwater (see ...
How to Clean Up Energy-Efficient Bulbs That Break
Energy-efficient bulbs are more technologically advanced than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they are usually still made of glass. This makes them breakable, and when they do break, they are more dangerous than incandescents. The risk depends on what type of bulb you are dealing with. Compact fluorescent lights contain a small amount of mercury, which can be toxic if it enters your body (see References 1). LED ...
More Articles on Energy Efficient Bulbs
Energy Efficient Replacement for Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs are an energy-saving alternative to incandescent bulbs, but there is an even more energy-efficient choice: light-emitting diode, or LED, bulbs. You are probably familiar with LED technology. It lights instrument panels, holiday decorations and novelty items such as toothbrushes and children's shoes. The ability to cluster individual LEDs into a larger bulb has made LEDs a practical solution to home lighting.
Disposal of High-Efficiency Light Bulbs
High-efficiency light bulbs, generally known as Compact Fluorescent Lamps or CFLs, reduce electricity consumption; one CFL can save as much as $40 in electricity costs over its lifetime, compared to a standard incandescent bulb (see References 1). Unfortunately, CFLs contain mercury, which is toxic. Putting CFLs in the regular trash is potentially dangerous for sanitation workers and ultimately contributes to the pollution of air and groundwater (see References 3). Many states require businesses and households to dispose of CFLs at hazardous waste recycling facilities (see References 2).
Lumens vs. Watts for LED Bulbs
Like all lightbulbs, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produce illumination by turning a given amount of electric current into light. LEDs perform this conversion more efficiently than standard incandescent bulbs: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical Energy Star-rated LED uses 20 to 25 percent of the energy that an incandescent bulb uses; the LED lasts up to 25 times longer, too (see References 5). The amount of light a bulb generates can be measured in a unit called lumens. Electrical power is measured in a unit called watts. Due to their methodology of converting electricity into light, LED bulbs feature a higher ratio of lumens to watts than incandescent bulbs.
How to Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Normal incandescent bulbs use electricity to heat a tungsten filament until it glows white hot, producing a lot of waste heat. Energy-efficient bulbs, also called compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs, work by electrifying a gas to produce ultraviolet radiation, which is then converted into visible light by the bulb's coating (see References 1). According to Energy Star, CFLs use 75 percent less electricity, produce 75 percent less heat, last 10 times as long and can save around $40 in energy costs compared to conventional bulbs over their lifetime (see References 2). Making the switch to CFLs can save you money and reduce your ecological footprint.
How Much Do Energy Efficient Bulbs Save?
A light bulb is a simple, often overlooked factor in most homes' total energy consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that if every household in the United States replaced just one standard incandescent light bulb with an energy-efficient one, the nation would annually save about $600 million in energy costs --- enough to power 3 million homes for a year (see references 1).
Sunshine CFL Vs. Daylight CFL
Compact fluorescent lights are designed to produce light within specific color ranges. These colors are known as light temperatures and affect how other colors appear indoors. Two common color temperatures for CFL bulbs are sunshine and daylight. These two color temperatures are closely related but are distinct from each other in appearance (see Reference 1).
Can I Use Outdoor CFL Floodlights in a Fixture With Photocells?
Compact fluorescent lights use less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs without sacrificing brightness. But CFL technology isn't always compatible with light fixtures designed for use with incandescent lights. This is especially true with floodlight fixtures that contain photocells, which sense light levels and automatically activate the lights. Understanding some of the differences between CFL and incandescent light bulbs will help ensure that the light bulbs you purchase are compatible with your floodlight fixture.
How to Go Green on Campus
Going green on campus is a lifestyle choice with environmental and cost-saving benefits. Even in a dorm setting, there are plenty of opportunities for you to make earthy-friendly choices. Chances are your university is already implementing many green practices. For example, the University of Illinois has an energy-saving program that uses light sensors at its recreational facilities. It also schedules reduced artificial lightning during its green hours of 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its activities and recreation center (See References 1).
