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Watts in a Name?
While it’s true I wouldn’t recognize a megawatt if I saw one, I do know good watts deals when I see them. I’m referring of course to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).
Wal-Mart has an Energy Star “Change a Light, Change the World” display that includes various reflector flood lights; standard-sized and mini-sized CFLs; vanity globes, outdoor postlights, and decorative candles. Home Depot and Lowe’s carry great assortments also. Costco’s selection is limited, but as of a week ago that retailer still had one of the best in-store buys for R30 CFLs – a Conserv-Energy 6-pack of 65-watt equivalent replacement lights for $17.99. And of course you can find great bulk buys on the internet.
Throughout 2007, I replaced most of our old incandescents as they burned out with new CFLs.
The first time my spiral-shaped CFLs debuted, I announced to the kids, “Well, guess we’re going green!” Then when one of them asked me, “Do those lights really glow green when you turn them on?” I had some explaining to do.
It’s good to know we won’t have to worry about changing those lights again for a long, long time (for six to ten years, depending on the type). And as you may be aware already, CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescents. It’s also good to know that we’ll save on electricity costs over the lifetime of the replacement bulbs (from $17 to $75, again depending on the type).
I really like the spiral-shaped CFLs, and the look of the incandescents seems very outdated to me now – sorry, Mr. Edison. But for those who don’t appreciate the spiral look like I do, traditionally shaped CFLs are also available, though they don’t seem to emit as bright a light for the same watts equivalent. Most of the latest CFLs, regardless of shape and size, do come on quickly.
I must admit that toward the end of 2007, I sort of went CFL-crazy, installing a few dozen more of the new bulbs in the basement we’re finishing, which brings our household total at last count to about 75.
So throughout our home, instead of finding 40-watt, 60-watt, and 100-watt incandescents, you’ll find 11-watt, 13-watt, and 23-watt compact fluorescents. And over their lifetimes those new lights will save us about $3,000 in aggregate electric energy cost savings.
CFLs, another better energy solution…
Get to know your good watts deals now. Let’s consider megawatts in a future post sometime next month.
This is a no-brainer; there is an argument about mercury. But it is not really a factor, since most of our electricity that we get through either Dominion or NOVEC puts mercury into the atmosphere. We use less electricity, and, even if we do not recycle the bulbs, we still reduce mercury in the atmosphere. Just don't break them and breathe deeply.
Keith Miller
Posted by keithmiller
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