subject: Energy Efficient Lighting Options For Your Home [print this page] When shopping for some items it's okay to change brands and buy whatever is on sale especially items such as toilet paper, soap, and maybe even some bread. However, there are some items that maintain our loyalty. This could be the juice, shampoo, milk, ice cream, oil, and deodorant. Seeing that we're in the age of energy efficiency, is it better to go cheap when it comes to light bulbs? We'd say no-- get the best.
Okay, this might deserve some explanation. Here goes. A light bulb may be small and seemingly unimportant, but it actually controls a pretty significant amount of energy. You could save a whole lot of money and energy by choosing an energy efficient light bulb.
Is The Energy Efficient Really Any Different?
The light bulb is one of those household items that should almost be free. Everyone needs more than a few to fill the light fixtures throughout the house and they're just so small. They're important but at the same time, really? It's a light bulb. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, especially since you feel like there's always a light bulb going out somewhere around the house.
Thankfully some people have let the light bulb manufacturers know about their concerns and needs, so companies such as ENERGY STAR have stepped up to the plate. They've developed ways that homeowners can use light bulbs as always, but these light bulbs last longer and save energy. By purchasing energy efficient light bulbs, you can save an estimated $70 a year!
Actually, your purchase of a qualified energy efficient compact Fluorescent (CFL) or a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light bulb will contribute to the efforts to counter climate change by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
These greenhouse gasses include; carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide-- all of which contribute to the degradation of the atmosphere and development of hazards such as global warming.
The Energy Certified CFL Bulb
A CFL energy qualified bulb has a lot to offer in comparison to regular light bulbs or even a CFL bulb that is not a certifiable energy saver. If you're curious about whether this is a distinct savings or just a little savings, it's big! In fact, by making the switch to a certified CFL bulb, you're bound to save about 75% because it used 75% less energy and heat.
Don't worry, you won't save in one area and lose in another, this light bulb also lasts about ten times longer and cuts back cooling costs.
Cooling costs may seem unrelated, but this kind of light bulb emits such a significantly less amount of heat that it'll make it easier to heat your home.
The LED Bulb
Another particularly energy savvy light bulb is the LED. As a top notch energy bulb, it will actually perform its energy saving abilities for 25,000 hours. So, your light bulb could last about 21 years!
In the words of ENERGY STAR: their qualified LED bulbs will provide light to your child's room from the first day in the nursery to the day he/she graduates from college.
Can you imagine a bulb that lasts 15 times longer than most and uses little energy and heat? The LED energy saving qualified bulb is the one for you! They outlast the CFL bulb and are durable enough to function outside and in cold temperatures.
Choosing the Best Bulb
Since you most likely want the best energy saving bulbs, you want a bulb that is long lasting, emits little heat, is durable, and meets the standards of ENERGY STAR qualified products. This will guarantee that you have the best energy saving bulb, because all ENERGY STAR labeled products must meet a list of requirements-- which means you know exactly what you buy.
