Frequently Asked Questions About Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs
The era when buying a light bulb was as simple as buying a carton of milk is drawing to a close. Beginning on January 1, 2012, general purpose light bulbs will need to be 30% more efficient than traditional incandescent lamps. We field questions from progressive customers regularly about eco-friendly alternatives. Here's a list of the most common inquiries.
Q: When does it make good financial sense to consider eco-friendly light bulbs?
A: Eco-friendly light bulbs are a smart choice for lamps and fixtures that are on for at least three hours a day. This is based on a September 2009 national average residential electricity rate of [POSTCONTENT].12 per kilowatt hour. In the dozen U.S. states (1) where hourly rates exceed [POSTCONTENT].15, two hours of daily use is sufficient.
Depending on the lamp type, you should save enough on electricity costs for a payback period under two years. And since all types of eco-friendly light bulbs last longer than traditional ones, there should be plenty of life left in them after payback.
Q: What is a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)?
A: CFL bulbs use electric current and gas to create ultraviolet (UV) energy. In turn, this energy excites phosphors which coat the inside of the glass which creates the structure of the lamp. The phosphors transform the UV to visible light.
Many CFLs have traditional screw-in bases and are suitable, energy efficient replacements for old-fashioned incandescent bulbs.
Q: What are the benefits of CFL bulbs?
- CFLs use less energy so they cost less to operate. CFL bulbs use roughly 75% less electricity to create the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb.
- Less energy used means less pollution. Think about it. By reducing electricity demand, we reduce production and by extension the harmful gases that are a byproduct of electricity generation. So long as CFLs are recycled when spent (to recapture the very small amount of mercury they contain), using CFL bulbs is a great way to help the environment and our wallets
- These eco-friendly light bulbs are designed to last a long time...typically 8,000 to 12,000 hours. Traditional light bulbs last only 750 to 3,000 hours.
- CFL bulbs are cool. Since they generate less heat than an incandescent, CFLs can reduce air conditioning costs.
- CFL bulbs are offered in a wide range of light colors ranging from warm white (similar to an incandescent bulb) to very cool white...virtually the same as daylight on a cloudless day.
Q: Do CFL bulbs have drawbacks that should be considered?
A:
- Frequent on / off switching will shorten the life of these eco-friendly light bulbs.
- CFL bulbs don't tolerate higher temperatures well so using them in a fixture that traps heat will reduce their life.
- The light output of CFLs will gradually dim over time.
- Standard CFLs shouldn't be used in fixtures controlled by a dimmer switch.
- CFL bulbs contain mercury, a toxic substance, and must be recycled properly. If a CFL shatters, it should be cleaned up carefully.
- CFL bulbs take time to warm up to full output. At normal room temperature, 30-45 seconds is about what to expect. The cooler the room though, the longer it will take.
- CFL bulbs used outdoors in cold temperatures will not be as bright.
- Screw-in dimmable CFL bulbs are available but their dimming performance is inferior to incandescent and halogen lamps. They have a reduced dimming range and may flicker and cut off at the low end.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Do you have any of the old fashioned eco friendly skills?
A lot of the skills that used to be used are very eco friendly. Do you have any of these eco friendly skills? Do you still use them?I am thinking about the old skills which used things they had to hand, because they grew locally or used recycled materials such as:
bottling, jam making and preserving
willow items, baskets, lampshades
coppicing, drystone walling
curing meats and skins
making home prepartions for toiletries, medicines
making carts, buggies, trailers,
making own gardening implements/tools
bee keeping, making beeswax products
rag rug making, darning - who can darn now?Any other old fashioned eco friendly skills you have?
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ANSWER:
Yep can do most of all of that. Brought up old fashioned, do a lot of it now. Eco-friendly is the best way to go, better quality items also.Come join this group, it is free and open to all
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Green_Technology/?yguid=184730913
With your question, you can strike a pretty good conversation at this group and have fun doing it.
For such a good question I give you a star!
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QUESTION:
Which is the most cost effective, eco friendly way to generate electricity?
I'm keen about eco friendly electricity generating but am wondering which is the most cost affective as i am aware that some are more expensive than on the grid electrics.-
ANSWER:
If cost is greatest concern be warned that it is almost impossible to generate your own electricity at lower cost than the big boys can. They have economy of scale on their side. Even if you think you can, it is probably because you haven't factored in all the real costs, including the cost of money (capital).It on top of being cheap you also want eco freindly then that is a BIG ask.
Try replacing as many electrical appliances with non electrical as you can for starters. Say solar heating for space heating and hot water, that is money saving and eco friendly.
The suggestion that CO2 is eco freindly and harmless when it comes from fossil fuels must have been asleep for the last 10 yrs or so. its that thinking got us into the GW mess we are in.
Likewise nuclear, yesss real good. no emissions, mmmm, no damage to water? Wonder if he has considered all stages of the energy cycle including the mining transport, construction of reactor decomissioning? Waste disposal? occassional failures, Chernoble ring a bell? 3 mile island?... Besides do you really expect that as an individual you will be allowed to build a nuclear power plant, even if you could afford it. Hey Iran wants to build nuclear plants, it says for power purposes, the western powers are saying we will not let you build an independent nuclear power cycle. You must buy fuel from us. You are not allowed to make your own! Sounds a bit like bully boy tactics, to enforce a cartel situation. The arguements about nuclear poliferation don't actually stack up against scrutiny as it seams it is now 'OK' to sell uranium to India even though it never signed up to the international inspections or non polliferation treaty (Iran has), and if Iran wanted to use the materials to create terror attacks it can with lowlevel enriched fuel in a dirty bomb anyway, right now and under the rules they are trying to impose.
(main problems with nuclear are social political and then economical, (most enjoy govt overt and hidden subsidies to be competitive).So you could always build your own windmill, it is the easiest electricity generating power source to build yourself, that would make it cheap and possibly eco freindly if you choose the right materials, like recycled timber, and scraps. etc.
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