The most obvious place for me to start would be to monitor my use of lights. With the onset of winter, I have a strong preference for lots of indoor lighting to minimize the depressing effects of long days with reduced sunlight. However, the reality check, that is, the cost of electricity, means I have to cut back on my indoor lighting preferences.
Fortunately, I was introduced to Michelle and Jason Holstine, owners of Amicus Green Building Center, at the DC Green Festival. Amicus is a unique store that caters to homeowners who want to use green-friendly or energy efficient products, rather than products that are found at most retail home improvement stores.
The store owners told me about innovative florescent light bulbs that use just one-third of the electricity compared to incandescent bulbs, and they last for years. They are more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, but the future energy savings alone will more than compensate for the initial outlay. Plus it’s estimated that these bulbs will last for more than 10,000 hours before needing to be replaced. And of course there’s the added benefit of simulating full-spectrum natural outdoor sunlight – important for sun-starved people like me.
Of course, even though I’ve now converted all of my 60-watt incandescent light bults to florescent 14-watt bulbs manufactured by a company named Aero-Tech, that doesn’t mitigate my own responsibility to heed my late mother’s warning to “turn of the lights, because we’re not a millionaires. Just wait until you pay for your own electricity.”
Years later, I have to admit, Mom was right. So, I’ll be turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, too.
were you aware that the australian government is phasing out incandescent light bulbs in favor of those you are describing? Here’s the article
Changing out these bulbs to CFLs is a big part of Wal-Mart’s sustainability initiative.
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Biliousness.