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With the cost of electricity raising, can you give me some insight
into what is the best energy saving lighting to choose for my home?
A great question, and a good subject that all of us (and our planet) can
benefit from. When we choose to conserve within our homes, we are
contributing to a larger effort to reducing greenhouse emissions.
The best energy saving lighting “systems” available on the market are
compact fluorescents and tubes. Originally introduced in the 1970’s, these
products have proven time and time again that they do save energy and in
turn, save you money! US statistics have shown that compact fluorescents and
tubes can save over US$30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime
compared to an incandescent lamp and they actually save 2000 times their own
weight in greenhouse gases.
1) Compact fluorescents (CFLs) use four times less energy, and last eight
times longer (8,000h instead of 1,000h) than incandescent light bulbs. Any
typical 75W incandescent bulb can be replaced by an 18W compact fluorescent.
Granted, they are more expensive to buy but you will not have to replace
them as often. If cost is an issue, start by replacing the bulbs used in
lamps or in rooms that you use frequently first.
Compact fluorescents are also available as floor lamps. One of the worst
offenders that steal our energy and drive our bills up are halogen floor
lamps. These type of lamps typically have a power of 300W or more. They
produce lots of heat and are actually so hot (some 500° Celsius) that they
have been the cause of many house fires. A compact fluorescent floor lamp
only uses 50 - 80W at 40° Celsius.
2) Fluorescent tubes are actually more efficient than compact fluorescent
lamps, and last even longer (10,000-20,000h). Choose fluorescent tubes with
a modern ballast starter that avoids flickering and lights immediately. The
quality ones add another 20 percent efficiency.
To save even more energy and extend the lifetime of your bulbs, both compact
fluorescents and fluorescent tubes are available in dimmable fixtures.
3) Compact fluorescent lamps with a dedicated fixture are a third option.
The electronic ballast, which is part of the fixture, lasts 40,000 hours and
the bulbs can be replaced separately at a lower cost.
To have your questions answered by our panel of Experts, please email
experts@risingwomen.com
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