Fluorescent lighting uses only 1/3 to 1/4 the energy of conventional incandescent light bulbs. A new type of fluorescent bulb, the "compact fluorescent bulb" has a screw-in base and can be used to replace standard light bulbs. These bulbs are expensive ($7 to $40 each), but they actually save you money because they last about 10,000 hours instead of the standard 1,000 hours, and a 16 watt unit gives as much light as a 60 standard incandescent. Where we live, electricity costs 7.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, so each bulb will save $28 worth of electricity (and 800 pounds of CO2) during its lifetime. Not bad for a $12 investment! The new compact bulbs have a soft 'warm white' color similar to standard incandescents.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are becoming more popular, but they are still a bit hard to find, check the larger hardware stores, home supply outlets, or specialty lighting stores. Venture and WalMart discount stores carry a few. Manufacturers of compact fluorescents: Eco-Light, General Electric, Lights of America, Philips, Satco, and Sylvania. If you can't find these bulbs locally, here are three mail order sources:
Real Goods
966 Mazzoni St.
Ukiah, CA 95482
1-800-762-7325
White Electric Co
P.O. Box 11276
Berkeley, CA 94701
1-800-4NU-BULB
Seventh Generation
Colchester, VT 05446-1672
1-800-467-1177
More lighting ideas:
- Don't forget the standard long fluorescent fixtures if you are remodeling your kitchen or shop area. They too are energy savers.
- You can't use fluorescent bulbs in sockets that have dimmer controls on them, as the dimmer circuits are not compatible with the electronic ballasts in the new bulbs.
- If you are an architect, lighting designer, or interior planner, be sure to take advantage of NRDC's Seattle Lighting Design Lab, to help you plan your next commercial lighting project. The Lighting Lab was created to help lighting professionals discover the energy-efficient possibilities of modern lighting. Lab staff members work one-on-one with clients to develop lighting strategies suited to specific projects. The Lighting Lab includes 10 rooms of demonstrations and a computer modeling laboratory. The services of the lab are free. Contact them at 400 E. Pine St., Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98122, (206) 325-9711.
One encouraging example of how conservation-oriented private investment firms can help reduce pollution was announced by Colorado Gov. Roy Romer recently. The State of Colorado has signed a 5-year contract with Conserve-A-Watt Lighting, a private Denver firm, to upgrade to compact fluorescent bulbs in the State Capitol and Centennial office buildings. The project is funded with $150,000 from Conserve-A-Watt, and the firm will install and maintain over 880 compact fluorescent bulbs, and 2500 fluorescent fixtures. During the 5 years, the bulbs save enough to give the state 8% of the savings, while the rest goes to Conserve-A-Watt to repay principal and generate a profit for them. After 5 years, the State of Colorado owns the new lighting equipment. During the lifetime of the bulbs, over 700 tons CO2 and 4 tons SO2 emissions will have been avoided! ***
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