Here’s a great question from a Practically Green Facebook fan. Our expert, guest blogger Margie McNally, provides an illuminating answer.
Q. Please tell me about light bulbs…. how to dispose of new-fangled ones (mercury) and how to figure out what to buy. Some don’t work on dimmer switches… some take a while to heat up and are bad for places like garage. There are so many choices at Home Depot my head will explode. Want to go green on lighting but still can’t get the hang of it. How do you figure out what to buy??
A. There is so much information out there on energy efficient lighting sources that it’s easy to become confused. The technology is changing rapidly — no wonder it’s hard to keep up. Ten years ago the compact fluorescent screw base bulbs were bulky, too big for enclosed ceiling domes and table-lamp harps, and they took an annoying amount of time to come to full brightness. This has all changed with newer and better technology.
First, start with the lights that are used most often and left on for long periods of time. This is where you will get the most bang for your buck in energy savings and life expectancy. CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) use one-third the energy of typical incandescent bulbs and last up to ten times longer, some up to 10,000 hours. Next, check limitations on the fixture you are substituting the bulb in. Is it on a dimmer? Many CFLs are not suitable for use with conventional dimming controls and will not work properly; they may even pose a fire hazard. Dimmable cfls are available. Is the table lamp on a three-way switch?… Yes, there are three-way CFLs available as well. Will the fixture be exposed to low outside temperatures? Choose one that is suited for outdoor use.
When you find the appropriate lamp, make sure that it carries the ENERGY STAR label www.energystar.gov to insure quality, color and guarantee. The ENERGY STAR site has lots of useful information, including several FAQs… it’s a great place to research and get information. ENERGY STAR-rated CFLs must meet strict standards set by the Department of Energy for instant starting time, color temperature of the light, minimum life expectancy and two year money-back guarantee, among other criteria. ENERGY STAR also certifies hard-wired fixtures with pin-based lamps. Unattractive fluorescent fixtures are a thing of the past with the latest in styles and finishes to blend with any décor.
Compact fluorescent lamps must be disposed of properly, but not to worry! There are many facilities that will recycle your lamp at the end of its useful life and the amount of mercury in each lamp is only about the size of the tip of a ball-point pen. Just follow instructions for disposal, and if accidental breakage should occur: http://www.lamprecycle.org
As the laws change you will see incandescent lamps be phased out. As early as 2012, your typical 100 watt A lamp will be replaced with more efficient halogen, fluorescent, and LED technology. This is because a typical incandescent lamp gives off 90% of its energy as heat. LED technology (light emitting diode) is new to the residential and commercial markets. We have seen it used in electronics but now it is being used to light both interior and exterior spaces. You will find under-cabinet lighting, recessed down lighting, table lamps and cove and rope lighting available to suit any application.
LED innovation and design is developing rapidly. This technology is extremely efficient—more so than CFLs—and there is no mercury to be concerned about. Life expectancy……. Some manufacturers claim up to 100,000 hours! That’s decades of light! However: the technology is not inexpensive today. There is a premium for this highly specialized light source.
Philips has interesting choices, and you can see some of these on the Home Depot website. At $50.00 per bulb, the Philips 15-watt (which shines more like a 75-watt incandescent) is expected to last for 25,000 hours. That’s 20 cents per hour for great light, no worries on mercury, and infrequent replacement.
Please be careful with home-store LEDs. They vary greatly in quality and lumen output. Look for quality and ENERGY STAR-rated products.
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1 Comment to 'How to Select Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs for your House or Office'
October 5, 2010
GE, Sylvania and Phillips all have good quality LED replacement bulbs available at Home Depot or Lowes or online. Quality dimmable LEDs are showing up in the market and expect more this February 2011 as the ANSI standard for dimmable LED switches and bulbs has finally been set.
If you are considering putting in a new fixture or changing out a lighting fixture, consider an LED fixture. There are some very cool LED puck light kits and more and more warm-white LED lights are becoming available in strips and other flat shapes.
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