A light bulb is a light bulb, right? Sure, they come in different sizes & shapes, and most notably the “shades” of bright. Then you have colors which create moods. Add to that the various applications for those odd shapes, colors, and effective lights, and a body can have quite a decision making dilemma on their hands!

Now let’s get you educated a little on energy efficient lighting, shall we?

CFL = Compact Flourescent Lamp

Below you can see the difference in energy between a CFLs  vs. standard lighting. The lower number on the left is the amount of energy used, and the higher number is the light output of both.

10w : 40w
13-15w : 60w
20w : 75w
26w–29w : 100w

Most CFLs take a minute or two to “warm up” to full brightness. However, there are advances being made every day in this technology due to increased demand, and there are bulbs currently available with “Instant On” capability.  Keep in mind that you will pay a little more for this convenience!

Some people do not like the “curlique” design of compact flourescents.  With that in mind, there are CFLs that have a more traditional light bulb shape; the twisty shape is inside a traditional type casing.  Again, they will cost a little more, but for aesthetic purposes, it is worth it to some people.

CFLs come in different shades of light much like regular bulbs (i.e., “soft”). Be sure to read the package to see if the bulbs you are purchasing are the right quality of light. Also be aware of “lumens” as all 60 (or 40, 75, 100)  watt bulbs are not created equally, even within a manufacturer’s line. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.

Long story short, switching to CFLs saves money. Yes, they cost a little more up front, but you probably won’t have to replace them for a few years. That’s a great incentive for those who have high ceilings or hard to reach light fixtures! CFLs also use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, which saves LOTS on your electric bill.  Approximate savings over the life of each bulb is about $30. [To calculate your energy savings, click here: CALCULATE or http://bit.ly/irRIu] Doesn’t sound like much, but when you count how many lights are in your home (read about our lighting needs here: http://bit.ly/ 4DF3Y9), it really adds up!

In the beginning, I had many blogs for the sake of keeping business activity, green observations, & personal things separate. Now I am just combining everything back to this blog. I’ll be copying older entries, such as this one, to complement current posts.