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"Electricity Prices Plummet," The Wall Street Journal, August 12, 2009
Hey, is there a recession going on? This timely article details how slack demand for electricity in 2009 may lead to the first consecutive year decline in electricity use in the U.S. since 1950. Such news may tempt some consumers to relax an otherwise robust commitment to reducing home and business electricity consumption. Conservation and energy efficiency are hard work, and harder still to turn into regular habits, especially when energy costs are low.
However, with days growing shorter and nights growing longer as we head into autumn, lighting costs will be on the rise for consumers, even if rates per kilowatt hours are ticking down. Now may be the best time to make a switch to more efficient, energy-saving light bulbs to reduce energy consumption, but there is no need to get carried away. Instead, we suggest folks start slowly with a deliberate approach that targets fixtures that are lit most frequently and for the longest periods. This often leads our customers who want to reduce energy consumption outside.
Green Light Bulbs Reduce Energy Consumption
Exterior fixtures come in as many configurations as indoor lights and they mainly serve three purposes: security lighting, accent lighting and convenience lighting. In some cases, single fixtures perform double or even triple duty.
The greatest savings, in both dollars and reduced carbon emissions, are most easily realized by installing energy-saving light bulbs in any fixtures which are lit from dusk-to-dawn but aren't controlled by a motion sensor. This could be a floodlight above the driveway or back deck or a pair of decorative sconces or lanterns straddling the front entrance. Post lights are commonly lit all night as well. If you're like us, you get peace of mind knowing that these lights make the home look very much occupied while you sleep.
Choosing energy-saving light bulbs with the highest efficiency ratings for the amount of light desired will reduce energy consumption and have the greenest impact. Consider this comparison: on one hand, we have a traditional (incandescent) bulb and on the other, an energy-efficient bulb. At 60 watts and 850 lumens, the efficiency of an incandescent bulb would be only 14 lumens per watt, with an annual use of 2,920 hours (8 hours/day). The annual cost to light? - approximately $20, but with a CO2 emission level of about 349 lbs. Now take a 15 watt energy-efficient bulb. Even though it has a lower wattage and uses less energy, the output of light is the same. Lumens are less at 825, and efficiency has improved to 55 lumens per watt. The annual cost to light drops $15, and CO2 emissions are nearly three-fourths less.
$15 annual savings per socket is more than enough to upgrade to energy-saving light bulbs in order to reduce your energy consumption. Your energy efficiency investment will be paid back in less than one year. As for CO2 emissions, a 75% reduction won't do your eco-conscience any harm.
For homes, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are a solid choice for dusk-to-dawn lighting scenarios. They're available in a wide array of wattages, shapes (including decorative), sizes and colors and are typically designed to last 8,000 hours or more. One drawback of energy-saving light bulbs in an exterior setting is that they're affected by ambient temperature. Our advice: if you live in a colder climate, look for lamps with "amalgam" technology for best performance or buy ones with the next higher incandescent watts equivalent (example: if you're replacing a 60 watt incandescent, buy a CFL equivalent to a 75 watt bulb). Also if a fixture isn't weather protected, be sure to select a bulb rated for use in a wet location.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are hitting the market at a rapid pace and are also worth considering for their superior ability to reduce energy consumption and extremely long life. Interestingly, LEDs don't emit ultraviolet light and don't attract insects. For an overnight fixture near a door, an LED would be a good alternative to a yellow bug lamp. Advice: insist on UL listed LEDs (not easy to find) for safety's sake.
Energy-Saving Light Bulbs for Motion Sensors and Electronic Timers
For multiple reasons, energy-saving light bulbs, such as CFLs, are a poor choice for fixtures that light automatically by motion detection. These are typically used for security purposes but are also a feature of garage door openers. CFLs are not engineered to produce short bursts of light. Thus, a traditional incandescent bulb is a fine choice (and probably what's in the fixture now). Advice: when the existing bulb burns out, consider a high-efficiency halogen lamp to reduce energy consumption. Currently, these energy-saving light bulbs are 30 to 40% more energy efficient than traditional incandescents. Expect these savings multiples to grow as lighting manufacturers continue to improve their halogen technology in anticipation of lighting efficiency requirements that go into effect in 2012.
As for LEDs, while they do reach maximum brightness instantly, they are still very pricey and thus not a good investment for the short bursts of light delivered by motion control sensors. Prices will come down as demand increases for energy-saving light bulbs. My advice: wait.
Some people rely on electronic timers to switch on exterior lights as darkness settles in. Again, CFLs aren't suited for this application. In this application, where once on, the light may remain lit during overnight hours; an LED lamp, which generally works with electric eyes (check with the manufacturer) would be an excellent choice to reduce energy consumption and extend bulb life versus an incandescent bulb.
Fall's the Time to Make the Switch to Energy-Efficient Exterior Light Bulbs
They say that the cheapest, cleanest kilowatt hour of electricity is the one that is never produced in the first place. As the shorter days of fall approach and your energy demands grow, put on your green glasses and look at the lighting fixtures outside your home. You're almost certain to find opportunities to reduce energy consumption and live more lightly with energy-saving light bulbs.
About the Author
Peter Ellinwood, the founder and co-owner of GreenPoma, an online retailer of hard-to-find, energy efficient lighting products, has an extensive background in product management and marketing. After 25 years in the life insurance industry in Greater Washington, DC and New Hampshire, he decided to use his marketing experience for a greater purpose – enabling individuals and small business owners to realize the significant financial and environmental benefits of eco-friendly light bulbs. To learn more about GreenPoma or to make a purchase, please visit www.greenpoma.com.body { background: #FFF; }
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Illuminating the Great Outdoors with Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
"Electricity Prices Plummet," The Wall Street Journal, August 12, 2009Hey, is there a recession going on? This timely article details how slack demand for electricity in 2009 may lead to the first consecutive year decline in electricity use in the U.S. since 1950. Such news may tempt some consumers to relax an otherwise robust commitment to reducing home and business electricity consumption. Conservation and energy efficiency are hard work, and ha...
[Posted: 2010-01-14 21:50:10]
Eat Your Energy Efficiency Vegetables Before Indulging in a Solar Powered Dessert: Five Ways to Save Energy
"In the nation's pursuit of energy affordability, climate change mitigation, and energy security, energy efficiency stands out as perhaps the single most promising resource." -- Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy, McKinsey and Company, September, 2009.We couldn't have said it better ourselves. The problem is, while both business and residential energy efficiency can...
[Posted: 2010-01-14 21:50:10]
Defending the Underdog: The Bright Side of Energy-Saving CFL Bulbs
Market dynamics often demonstrate that subsidies create unsustainable demand for the products to which they apply. Witness the auto sales acceleration in July and August of this year while the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program was in effect. Since the program ended, domestic auto sales have fallen back to pre-program levels.According to a post on the Green Inc. blog in lat...
[Posted: 2010-01-14 21:50:10]
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 a...
[Posted: 2010-02-25 12:55:13]
"A Better Mousetrap: High-Efficiency Halogen Lamps Are a Superior Energy-Efficient Lighting Solution for Existing Recessed Downlights"
For many homeowners, especially those with children, the kitchen is the most lived-in room in the house. It's a gathering place, a workspace, a study area, an entertainment venue and of course, a room in which to enjoy meals together. Thus, it's not uncommon for kitchen lights to be switched on for four or more hours per day. This presents a legitimate opportunity to save money and reduce air pollution and landfill waste by switching to energy-efficient lighting solutions. As...
[Posted: 2010-04-09 07:36:14]
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