Have you made the change yet? Are you still using Incandescent Light bulbs? Are you wondering about the pay back and return on investment? What about LED lights? Isn't there a Mercury issue and disposal issue? Finally, there is a resource for you to discover the benefits of CFL light bulbs!
I attended a webinar today and at first thought I would most likely find it a snoozer! About 10 minutes into it I was already getting some answers to frequently asked questions and expressed concerns. About 20 minutes into it I learned about a great new app to help you make the right choice for you.
What's the issue with incandescent light bulbs? Think back to the Easy Bake Oven that we all know and love. It uses a 100 watt light bulb to bake cakes, cookies, & brownies. These light bulbs emit heat to the interior space of your home or office resulting in a 14-22% increase in your electric bill. Wow!
Some argue that LED lights are a better option, but it all depends on how you use light bulbs in your home. LED lights are intended for longer use, which makes them ideal for offices and businesses that leave lights on 8 hours a day or longer. The on an off aspect wears the lights down faster so you don't get the expcted life span with normal residential use.
Contrast that to the Compact Florescent Light bulb (CFL), which provides a more viable option to the traditional choice and LED. They do better with the frequent on and off needs of residential use, and they are relatively affordable.
But what about the Mercury? According to LightBulbFinder.com founder, Mercury is produced in the production of electricity. Although there is traces of Mercury, the comparable amount is literally a molehill to a mountain. By saving electricity you save more resources and reduce Mercury all in one shot. But do keep in mind they should be property disposed of in hazardous waste pick up. Given they last 5 years or longer there should be little waste compared to traditional bulbs.
So should you go out and replace ALL your light bulbs immediately? Not necessarily, but its something worth considering. While it seems like more land fill and waste, keep in mind that you're eventually going to replace them and create landfill. Either way, it's going to happen, but if you wait, then you're wasting money on electricity.
One good strategy the host recommended is to replace those that you use at least 2 hours per day, and/or that have more lights, such as a kitchen light fixture with 4 light bulbs, or canned recessed lighting. The more you use them, the more immediate the need to replace. Research shows that payback on kitchen lights is .8 years. A whole house replacement is 2 years for payback. The ROI (return on investment) is subject to the brands you buy, the price you pay, and the quality you buy. Fortunately there are new label requirements so you can compare and make better choices for you.
Isn't there an APP for that? As a matter of fact, yes! You can download a free app called Light Bulb Finder for your Droid or Iphone. This is a really cool app you can share with your friends and clients to help find the right light bulbs based on wattage, style, etc. and even find out how much you will save based on the brand you buy and the market you are located within.
How Cool is That?
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