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• 5: Percent of the energy incandescent bulbs use is converted into light (the rest is given off as heat
• 1,300: Number of pounds of carbon dioxide saved when a 75 watt incandescent bulb is replaced by a 20 watt CFL
• $55: Amount a household would save on the same replace of bulb, over the life of the bulb.
• 750: Number of kilowatt-hours over 10,000 hours, used by an incandescent bulb.
• 180: Number of kilowatt-hours over 10,000 hours, used by a CFL
• 75%: The amount of energy saved if one incandescent bulb is replaced with an incandescent bulb
• 8-10X: Amount of time that a CFL last vs an incandescent bulb

Home Energy Assessments 101

A home energy assessment, also known as a home energy audit, is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An assessment will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time.            

 During the assessment, you can pinpoint where your house is losing energy. Energy assessments also determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. An assessment may also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity. You can perform a simple energy assessment yourself, or have a professional energy auditor carry out a more thorough assessment.

Clean Bulbs ™ VS Dirty Bulbs

 CFL: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

Over the last decade, the energy efficient light bulb has become much more than just a light bulb. Not only does it help consumers reduce lighting costs and save money, it’s helping conserve our environment. If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified energy efficient light bulb, it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road.

 Incandescent Light Bulb

 An incandescent bulb creates light by heating up a thin wire until it and the air around it glows. So these bulbs give off both light and heat. In fact, most of the electricity consumed by incandescent bulb turns into heat, not light. Only a small fraction of those kilowatts become incandescent light.

 In Depth about CFLs and Incandescents

CFLS

There are three primary “colors” available among energy efficient light bulbs which includes soft white, bright white and day light.

• Soft White: The soft white light is the ideal lifestyle light. It provides a warm, full glow that is comfortable and inviting, and is a perfect energy replacement in living rooms, family rooms, recreation rooms and bedrooms. Consumers will find this energy efficient light bulb in a green package.
• Bright White: The bright white light is a great working light that gives off a radiant, crisp illumination. The ideal light for working in the kitchen, bathroom, hobby room, basement and garage, it produces a light that beautifies your home. Consumers will find this energy efficient light bulb in a red package.
• Day Light: The day light features a bright, quality light that provides accurate color rendition and emulates natural sunlight. Its energizing, brilliant exposure is great for reading and detail-oriented activities, or anywhere you want truly vibrant color and an exciting atmosphere. Consumers can find this CFL in a blue package.

 Want more background on CFL bulbs?

An incandescent bulb creates light by heating up a thin wire until it and the air around it glows. So these bulbs give off both light and heat. In fact, most of the electricity consumed by incandescent bulb turns into heat, not light. Only a small fraction of those kilowatts become incandescent light.
CFL bulbs create light by energizing the gas inside. Most of the electricity consumed by a CFL produces light with very little heat production, mainly from the bulb’s ballast that ionizes the gas. The gas in CFL bulbs radiates at a certain wavelength which determines the color of the light we see. Good quality CFL bulbs contain 3 or 4 different phosphors, each radiating a light of a different color. So look for good quality bulbs with the Energy Star certification.
In the past few years, the major manufacturers have all put out an astounding array of CFLs to match the color of light you prefer (cooler blues to warmer yellows), the size of your existing fixture’s socket (check out the new mini-CFL bulbs) and the shape you need (from little corkscrew to outdoor spotlight).
From left to right, the bulbs in this photo are: a 13 watt GE CFL emitting 6500 K; a 60 watt Sylvania incandescent soft white emitting c. 3000 K; a 15 watt Bright Effects CFL emitting 2644 K; and a 14 watt Sylvania CFL emitting 3000 K. “K” stands for Kelvin degrees which is a way to measure color (see the spectrum image below).
Nonetheless, the color of light from most CFL bulbs does not contain the full spectrum of visible light that incandescent bulbs shed. That smaller color range might affect where you would use CFLs. You may want a warmer, yellower light in your favorite reading lamp than a CFL bulb can provide.
Some CFL manufacturers state the color emitted by the bulb in degrees Kelvin. The higher the Kelvin number, the cooler (bluer) the light will be. Incandescent bulb (tungsten) filaments emit around 2800 Kelvin. Moonlight is around 4100 Kelvin. Typical “warm” daylight is around 5000 Kelvin.
While CFLs may start at low temperatures, they take about 20 seconds to reach ~75% output. Most incandescent lamps reach full brightness almost immediately. If you need immediate full brightness, e.g., during a short visit to a closet or bathroom, an incandescent may still be more appropriate than a CFL bulb.
Likewise, CFLs used outdoors in winter may not yield equivalent or full brightness. The fluorescent process yields its peak output chiefly within a relatively narrow temperature range (between ~57°F to ~97°F). Air temperatures higher or lower than this range result in less light from the CFL bulb. So, in the Northeast, CFL bulbs burn brightest at the indoor temperatures common inside most homes.
Do not install CFLs in any light fixtures controlled by dimmers without first checking with an electrician to be sure that a dimmable CFL will work with your dimmer. Normal CFL bulbs can not be used in dimmable fixtures. If you have recessed fixtures, try special
CFL bulbs do not give off nearly as much heat as incandescent bulbs. So you may want to stay with incandescent bulbs where you want heat plus the light, like for the box where your kids are raising baby chickens!

http://www.crotonblog.com/archives/2007/10/24/the_real_deal_by_leo_wiegman/how_many_crotonites_does_it_take_to_change_a_lightbulb/

Incandescent Lighting

Incandescent lighting is the most common type of lighting used in homes. It has traditionally delivered about 85% of household illumination.
Incandescent lamps operate without a ballast. They light up instantly, providing a warm light and excellent color rendition. You can also dim them. However, incandescent lamps have a low efficacy compared to other lighting options (10–17 lumens per watt) and a short average operating life (750–2500 hours).
Incandescent lamps are the least expensive to buy, but because of their relative inefficiency and short life spans, they usually are more expensive to operate.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12120?print
 

Carbon Calculator

http://www.onebillionbulbs.com/PromoteEnergySavingsCalculator.aspx?frame=Detail

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can using compact fluorescent lighting really save energy and save money on my electric bill?

Yes. A single 20-watt CFL bulb burns 55 watts less than a comparable 75-watt incandescent bulb and provides the same amount of pleasing, warm white light. Over the 10,000-hour-life of a CFL bulb, you would save 550 kilowatt-hours. At 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, that’s a $55 energy cost savings per bulb. And don’t forget to deduct the cost of replacing 10 to 13 incandescent bulbs, which generally last only 750 to 1,000 hours each.

Why do compact fluorescent lights cost more than incandescent bulbs?

The price of a high-quality compact fluorescent light bulb reflects technology development costs. And, each compact fluorescent has a built-in micro-sized ballast, adding to the cost. As the number of bulbs sold increases, the overall price will continue to decline. CFLs offer great value. The extra initial price is quickly made up by energy savings. And, you would have to buy up to 10 incandescent light bulbs to last as long as one compact fluorescent.

Will a compact fluorescent light fit my light fixture?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, which include a lamp and a ballast or transformer, come in many shapes and sizes. A 14w CFL fits in most places an incandescent does. Great strides have been made in reducing the overall size, and many CFLs are now equivalent in size or smaller than incandescent bulbs. However, it is best to measure your fixture and compare bulb sizes before purchasing a CFL.

Where should I use a compact fluorescent bulb?

Use CFLs anyplace a traditional incandescent light bulb is used. However the most practical use for a compact fluorescent bulb is in a lamp or fixtures turned on for at least three hours at a time. Hard to reach fixtures are also good candidates, since a CFL does not have to be changed as often as an incandescent bulb.

Can I use a compact fluorescent bulb in a fully-enclosed fixture?

It is not recommended unless there are ventilation holes. Otherwise the bulb temperature will increase and the CFL bulb’s life shortened.

Can compact fluorescent light bulbs be dimmed?

Generally no. Although a few compact fluorescent bulbs are designed to dim, most are not, so check the packaging. Using non-dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs with dimmer switches will reduce the life of the bulb.

Can compact fluorescent light bulbs be used in three-way lamps?

There are three-way compact fluorescent bulbs sold specifically for three-way lamps. A standard CFL can be used in a three-way lamp, but you will only get light in the middle of the three on positions.

Can compact fluorescent light bulbs be used where it is wet or damp?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs should not be installed where they might be directly exposed to water or snow. They may be installed in sheltered exterior locations.

What about air temperature and compact fluorescent bulbs?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs may generally be used where the air temperature is between 20 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Above 140 degrees, there may be reduced light output and premature ballast failure. CFLs have a harder time starting below 32 degrees, reducing the brightness.

Can a compact fluorescent bulb be used in a dusk-to-dawn fixture?

Dusk-to-dawn photocell fixtures designed for screw-in incandescent bulbs contain a silicon chip that converts radiant energy into electrical current. The technology is generally incompatible with screw-in CFLs, shortening the life of the bulb. However, fixtures with built-in photocells that are designed to use only compact fluorescent lamps contain a delayed instant-on circuit to make them compatible with fluorescents.

What about electronic timers?

Electronic timers tend to have a small amount of electricity running through them even though a lamp is shut off. The lamp continually tries to turn itself on, which shortens the CFL life.

Do compact fluorescent light bulbs give off Ultraviolet (UV) light?

Compact fluorescent bulbs give off a minimal amount of UV light. It does not pose a hazard.

How long does it take for a compact fluorescent bulb to reach full brightness?

The start-up time for compact fluorescent lamps varies. Most electronically ballasted units start their lamps instantly. All fluorescent lamps start at a lower light output; depending on the ambient temperature, it may take anywhere from several seconds to several minutes for the lamp to come up to full brightness.

What wattage should I buy?

When buying a compact fluorescent light bulb, choose a wattage that's about one-third of what you usually buy. The table below shows some typical wattage conversions for Springlamp® CFLs:

• 25-watt incandescent = 4-watt compact fluorescent
  
• 40-watt incandescent = 9-watt compact fluorescent
  
• 60-watt incandescent = 14-watt compact fluorescent
  
• 75-watt incandescent = 20-watt compact fluorescent
  
• 100-watt incandescent = 23-watt compact fluorescent

Is it alright to dispose of CFLs in the trash?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs contain a minute amount of mercury. The amount in a single bulb is generally insignificant and may be legally disposed of in your household garbage. To reduce the risk of bulb breakage or contamination, and to protect yourself from cuts, wrap the bulb in a sealed plastic bag and discard with your trash. Check with you local authorities or waste hauler if you are disposing of a large number of CFLs. Visit a 911earth.org and lamprecycle.org for CFL recycling information.

Should I be concerned about using CFLs in my home?

CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly.

How do I safely dispose of a CFL when it burns out?

It is best to recycle your CFL. Recycling programs exist for mercury in older non-digital thermostats and mercury thermometers, but residential CFL recycling programs are just now appearing. To find a residential recycling program in your area, visit earth911.org or lamprecycle.org. You can also call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.

If recycling is not an option in your area, place the CFL in a sealed plastic bag and dispose the same way you would batteries, oil-based paint and motor oil at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Site. If your local HHW Collection Site cannot accept CFLs, seal the CFL in a plastic bag and place with your regular trash.

What should I do if I break a CFL?

If a CFL breaks carefully sweep up all the fragments – wipe the area with a wet towel and dispose of all fragments, including the used towel, in a sealed plastic bag. Follow all disposal instructions. If possible open windows to allow the room to ventilate. Do NOT use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow disposal instructions.