I've been thinking about the idea of switching to CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) for a while now, but haven't been able to make much progress on it... for a while, this was a topic that was threatening our domestic harmony, if you get my meaning :-)
Now, my husband has been remarkably supportive and flexible about changing our lifestyle to greener living, but when it came to switching to dim, white fluorescent light, he drew the line. And honestly, even though I wanted to do the right thing, I dreaded being engulfed by the dull, antiseptic light cast by fluorescents.
And so began my search for the softest, warmest available CFL. What I found both surprised and delighted me! Not only do modern CFLs come in all shapes and sizes - there's the the ubiquitous spiral, indoor and outdoor reflectors, dimmable, 3-way, and even the little pointy candle shaped ones, but they also come in different temperatures - soft white (warm) or daylight (cool).
Why CFLs?
According to Energy Star, if every American home replaced just one lightbulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb (most CFLs are qualified), we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars! And that's just one lightbulb!
What's more, switching to CFLs can substantially reduce your energy bill as well. I have anecdotal evidence about lower energy bills from my friends who've made the switch, but since we started using CFLs fairly recently, I can't say how much this has saved us - I'll revisit this in some months when we know more.
Your best resource on CFLs is probably the Energy Star website. I used this handy chart that maps light fixtures to bulb type. Also, by the way, if you're in the market for major appliances, check out Energy Star qualified appliances on this website.
Popular Mechanics magazine recently did a lab test that compared different brands of CFLs. You can read about their results here.
Next came the business of procuring all these different light bulbs to make the switch. After researching Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart and Costco, I found the best prices at Walmart.com.
Here's a time and money saving tip: If you choose to shop online at Walmart.com, you can take advantage of their "Site to Store" feature that offers free shipping to a Walmart store near your home. I don't always find all the items I'm looking for at the store, so I use this feature to order online, then go pick up my order when its ready. The only downside is the order can take 7-10 days to arrive at the store.
What you should know:
CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled per these EPA Guidelines.
Already made the switch to CFLs? Thinking about doing it? Share your experience with us here!
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A working mom shares tips on green living
Over the past few years, I have been trying to educate myself on healthy eating and living habits that are beneficial to my immediate family and also have a positive impact on our environment.
Now, many of my close friends are busy moms and dads, work full time, and are overcommitted at home and/or at work. On the other hand, they are also responsible parents who want the best for their families, and would like to have a positive impact on their environment… as long as it’s not ‘too inconvenient’.
If you know me, I am also all of the above! So, I’d like to take a step in the right direction by starting this blog to share tips on green living – these could include topics as varied as healthy eating, green cleaning, recycling, composting, or any other eco-friendly activities.
The tips I share here are by no means original – you may have already incorporated them in your own lifestyle, or know someone who has… my goal is to gradually include healthier and environmentally more responsible habits in our lives – one change at a time – perhaps its my long experience as a software implementer that makes me want to ‘projectize’ every aspect of my life, or the firm belief that small, gradual changes can add up to make a big difference… and honestly, its just less daunting to make small changes, instead of trying to do it all at one time!
Every tip I share with you here will be something I have researched, and incorporated in my own life. I will also share resources where you can find more information.
I would love to get your feedback, and welcome any eco friendly tips that you may have used and would like to share …
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4 comments:
So far I found the best deal for CFLs at IKEA. However, their CFLs are a bit dim when you flip the switch and become brighter in about 5 min. The CFLs I got at home depot are more expensive but display their full brightness as soon as you switch on the lights.
My problem with CFL's has been the size. They're kinda bulky, in that the ends/tips sometimes peek out of the shades. I suppose the smaller sizes will start showing up as adoption rates for these bulbs increase.
Also, from the tonight show on 4/22:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Shares her Top 5 Tips on Going Green (http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/video/episodes.shtml#vid=243701&tin=1297.839&tou=1738.545&plt=lf)
1. Buy Compact Flourescent Light (CFL) Bulbs! They last longer and draw less energy.
2. Turn your thermostat up two degrees or down two degrees depending on the season. Learn to open a window or put on a sweater instead!
3. Give up your plastic bags! Bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping, and if you forget and must choose between paper and plastic, choose paper.
4. Unplug all electronics, including chargers, when not in use. Even if you are not charging things, they are drawing energy!
5. Recycle your old cell phones for free! Go to www.ema-online.org, print out a FREE pre-paid postage label, drop your phone in an envelope, stick the label on, and mail it in!
YW - thanks for the tip! I hadn't thought of checking out IKEA for the CFLs...
Ramesh - yes, you're right about the CFL bulb size - I found that I wasn't always able to find the right shapes/sizes in stores, but had better luck shopping online.
And thanks for the tips too!
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