Posts Tagged ‘Bulbs’

BBC Breakfast Coverage of The National Trust’s ‘Big Switch’ With the impacts of climate change increasingly affecting the historic buildings, gardens, countryside and coast in The National Trust’s care, they take considerable time and energy to reduce their carbon footprint and change their use of technology to increase efficiency and to conserve energy. Lighting Services met with The National Trust over a year ago to help bring about change in both application and education of energy saving lighting within The Trust. This was the start of the ‘Big Switch’, a widely known about conversion from old to new technology. The ‘Big Switch’ quickly became the term given to a three way project between The National Trust, Lighting Services and Philips Lighting. The aim? To convert every single lamp, in every single property to an energy saving or longer life equivalent where possible. With nearly five hundred different properties it was always going to be a challenge to get the individuals within the Trust to understand what to change to. With the variety of energy savers on the market there was also the added problem of choosing the correct equivalent for the correct application. With hundreds of historically sensitive areas within the National Trust’s properties it was simply not just a case of switching incandescent to compact fluorescent. It was to be a much more complex exercise. An example of the complexity was illustrated with the use of a new lamp which was launched in …

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 late September, sales of CFL bulbs are also declining as sponsors of rebate programs across the country report trouble in maintaining their funding. Especially concerned about this development is Richard Karney, the Department of Energy’s Energy Star products manager, who wrote to CFL industry stakeholders to share the bleak sales outlook on energy-saving light bulbs and to urge their cooperation with the DOE to restore and expand these programs.

Given that these long-standing promotional incentives (including flat-out giveaways of energy-saving light bulbs) have resulted in CFL bulbs in only 10% of the residential light sockets in the U.S, we can’t help but wonder why Mr. Karney thinks this time will be different.

The Art of Shopping for Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

Maybe we’re missing something, but we’re pretty careful shoppers, and in the last 10 months, we’ve purchased four Energy Star major appliances for our home. Yes, we bought them all on sale. But not one had any public utility-sanctioned rebate or discount. Did we spend more for our energy efficient Energy Star units? You bet. Did we consider anything else? Not for a moment.

So, why do so many consumers, when replacing a spent light bulb in their home, reach for electricity-sucking incandescents?

1. Old habits die hard. And since these lamps have been around for over 100 years, the incandescent bulb habit is really hard-wired.

2. They’re cheap…dirt cheap compared to quality CFL bulbs.

3. CFL bulbs have (cue spooky Halloween music) MERCURY! (about the same amount as a six ounce can of albacore tuna (1)).

These factors matter in terms of buying behavior for energy-saving light bulbs.

On the other side of the coin, it’s demonstrably true that premium CFL bulbs, installed and used properly (2), will save many times their purchase price in electricity over their lifetime. As for the good of the planet, the reduced CO2 output from using a single 100 watt equivalent CFL until spent is equivalent to parking an average size passenger car for 39 days (3).

It’s the Light, Stupid

We believe that light quality matters – a lot. Great, artificial light helps create lasting positive impressions of people, places, gatherings, events and things. And in the winter months when natural light is in shorter supply, it can even lift your spirits. Poor light detracts and diminishes.

Unfortunately, the reputation of CFL bulbs was tarnished by the industry itself through shortsightedness and a drive for profits. For years, the light color of CFL bulbs was blue-hued and wan. The hue cast by energy-saving light bulbs also made the warmer colors (red, orange, yellow, brown) look washed out. Who wants to view themselves, their family, their friends or their interior surroundings in such light?

But there’s good news. The industry has worked diligently to put this issue to rest. Today’s energy-saving light bulbs come in a wide array of color temperatures, ranging from warm white (2700 degrees Kelvin) to virtual daylight (6500 degrees Kelvin) giving consumers choices akin to those they can find among incandescent bulbs.

Another important property of artificial light is color rendering index (“CRI”). This is a measure of the ability of a light source to accurately display the color of an item. Have you ever tried to make out colors under a yellow streetlight? These are typically high pressure sodium lamps with a CRI in the 30s (on a scale of 1-100, with 100 the highest score). Colors look awful, but that’s not the point of these lights. They’re relatively inexpensive and last a long time. If you’re a taxpayer, those are probably the characteristics you want your city or town to value the most in these fixtures.

The CRI of most modern CFL bulbs is 82. B minus. In college, a B minus grade can be a superb result for some students and a disaster for others. So it is with CFL bulbs: perfectly acceptable for some uses, inferior for others.

While we see signs that this is changing, government and the industry have pushed CFL bulbs as the ideal replacement for incandescent lamps because of their extremely high efficiency and long life. And surely there are people for whom efficiency is the most important criterion when buying energy-saving light bulbs. But for the larger percentage of the population who can afford to spend $5, $10 or $15 on a light bulb to realize energy efficiency gains, CFL bulbs aren’t the first choice for buyers whose top priority is ultra-flattering light in their homes or businesses. And all the incentives and subsidies the market can offer won’t make a difference.

High Efficiency Halogen Lamps – A Bright Idea

Halogen lamps have been around a long time. Commonly, they have a CRI of 100 and a warm white color. This doesn’t make them perfect, but for accent and ambience lighting (paired with a dimming control), they’re a solid choice. They’re not very efficient however (much of the electricity they use creates heat rather than light).

Here’s where the story takes an interesting twist. Recently, top lamp manufacturers have developed technology that transforms invisible infrared light emissions into visible light. The result is greater “efficacy” (measured in lumens of light output per watt of electricity).

Compared to a traditional, 60-watt halogen lamp with an 840 lumen output, a high-efficiency, 40-watt halogen lamp with an 800 lumen output offers a noticeable difference in efficacy, equating to a 43% gain in efficiency.

43% greater efficiency than the old style but without any tradeoffs: same great light, same long lamp life, instant-on, superior dimming ability (a bonus: dimming extends lamp life dramatically), reliability (unlike typical CFL bulbs, these lamps don’t contain electronic components), and no mercury content requiring recycling when spent. Bottom line: electricity savings without sacrifice.

The Skinny on Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

If you’re looking to save money and reduce your impact on the only planet we’ll ever call home, a switch to energy-saving light bulbs is a smart and easy place to start. Incentives or not, for maximum efficiency, color choice and light output, premium quality CFL bulbs are still worth considering. Where superb light quality and high performance dimming capabilities are called for, high efficiency halogen lamps are a very bright idea. And since both types of energy-saving light bulbs have much longer lives than the traditional options, you’ll spend less time and money changing bulbs.

Works Cited

1. “Dangerous Mercury in CFLs? One Big Fish Story”; LD+A, August, 2009; IES.org
2. Avoid using CFLs in fully enclosed fixtures as the heat buildup will reduce lamp life. In fixtures which are turned on and off frequently or left on for less than 15 minutes at a time, CFLs should generally not be used.
3. Greenpoma.com/products/23W-Spiral.html. Enter quantity 1 in “Calculate Your Savings.”

Energy Saving Light Bulbs

The phasing out of incandescent light bulbs in the EU is due to end in 2011 and many people are worried about giving up their beloved bulbs. However, in this article I will detail some of the common myths that are associated with energy saving light bulbs and tell you the facts so you can make an informed decision.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs do not produce the same light output as traditional bulbs.

Fact: Today energy savers can easily replicate the light output of traditional bulbs using around a fifth of the power. LED bulbs are also becoming more powerful and the new generation are able to produce the same amount of lumens as halogen bulbs.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs are ugly and don’t look good in some of my fittings.

Fact: Energy savers are now available in all traditional bulb styles including classic, candle and spotlights, meaning they will fit in some of your most ornate fittings.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs are not environmentally friendly as they use mercury which is a hazardous material.

Fact: New energy savers use a mercury substitute called amalgam, this is completely safe to handle, transport and store and it is of no risk to either humans or the environment. There is also a recycling charge included in the price of the bulb making them far more environmentally friendly than traditional bulbs.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs trigger epileptic fits.

Fact: A small number of cases have been reported with the older models, however these were never verified. The new models run at a higher frequency and do not have any know health impact.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs don’t light up straight away.

Fact: The new models of energy saving bulbs have an almost instant switch on time and will reach their full brightness straight away. The delay in earlier models was caused by ignition of the gas inside the bulb.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs do not produce the right coloured light.

Fact: Advancements in technology mean that lighting manufacturers can now replicate the light colour of traditional incandescent bulbs. A recent study showed that only 50% of people can tell the difference between energy savers and incandescent bulbs (Pepsi Challenge, EST, 2008).

Myth: Energy saving bulbs will not fit some of my light fittings.

Fact: Today energy savers are available in all four traditional caps (bayonet, edison screw, small bayonet and small edison screw) as well as GU10, MR16 and PAR fittings.

Myth: Energy saving bulbs will not work with dimmer switches.

Fact: New models of energy saving bulbs are available with dimming capabilities

When energy saving light bulbs were first available many believed that they were no substitute for incandescent lighting however technological advancements have ensured that they can match incandescent bulbs in looks and capabilities while being five times more efficient. I hope this article has helped to dispel some myths about energy saving lighting and you can make an informed decision about your lighting needs.

Please visit Greenhouse Organisation for all your energy saving light bulbs.

From 7 Sunrise 22 Oct 2008. au.lifestyle.yahoo.com Paul Klymenko from Planet Ark is a big supporter of bulbs. Planet Ark is heralding the big changes set for next month when the lights go out on the traditional light bulb. Eddison’s bulb will be turned off when the Australian Federal Government’s banning companies from importing any more of the globes. Energy-saving bulbs are the future. But are they more expensive to use? And do they really last as long as we’re told? 1. They’re more expensive (they’re actually a good money saver) 2. They’re ugly (there are many more styles than just the original three-prong ones on sale now) 3. They can’t be dimmed (certain styles now can be) 4. They don’t last as long as we’re told (cheaper ones may have this problem, but any reputable brand will usually last longer than the average 6000 hours) 5. They give out a harsh white light (you can now get different styles, including candle-style and “moonlight”) 6. A broken globe can contaminate your house (they do contain mercury – but you would need to break one in every room every day for this to even be a possible problem – they actually contain less mercury than a normal fluorescent bulb) 7. They contain mercury which makes them worse for the environment (using these globes actually stops more mercury being released into the environment from coal fired power plants) You can buy energy-efficient light bulbs at most hardware stores and eco stores. Lighting stores may also be of help.

Following on from Energy Saving Week, which took place from 19 – 25 October, we thought that it was about time someone tackled those myths about lighting – so here are our top 10 questions about energy saving light bulbs and those dirty incandescent ones.

1. Aren’t energy saving bulbs much dimmer than traditional ones?
Whilst Energy Saving light bulbs once had a reputation for being dim this is now outdated. Most modern varieties – produced by household brands – are just as bright as traditional bulbs and give an equally ‘warm’ light.

2. Aren’t energy saving light bulbs full of mercury and other toxins?
A standard energy saving light bulb contains 3 to 4 milligrams of mercury- whilst a standard thermometer contains at least 100 times more mercury! Indeed, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs states that the amount of mercury in lamps is less than the mercury that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere by coal-fire power generation to produce the energy used by an incandescent lamp.

3. Why has my local supermarket stopped selling traditional light bulbs?
From 1st September 2009, retailers in the UK were no longer allowed to buy traditional 100MW tungsten bulbs from their suppliers- they can however, still sell them until their supplies run out. Other wattage of bulbs will be phased out in a similar manner by 2012. Whilst many retailers chose to stockpile their traditional light bulbs, it is possible that some of the smaller retailers near you will run out of stocks quicker as they’ll have more limited storage in their shop.

4. How much would I save by using energy saving light bulbs? Aren’t they more expensive to begin with?
Again, they used to be, but nowadays you’ll find them competitively priced with the traditional bulbs. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that not only will they last longer, but you save around £2.50 a year per bulb in energy bills – so you’ll save around a total of £65 in energy and replacement costs over the lifetime of each bulb.

5. Is this banning the sale of traditional bulbs (yet another) thing that the EU is forcing on us?
Whilst there is an EU-wide directive covering the sale of traditional bulbs, the UK also has its own voluntary agreement with major retailers which actually goes further – stopping the sale of traditional bulbs a year earlier than the rest of the EU. The UK has also, uniquely in Europe, committed itself to cuts in carbon emissions outside any international treaty. Restricting the sales of traditional bulbs is regarded as being the “low hanging fruit” of the fight against climate change as it’s an easy, cost-positive way of cutting carbon quickly.

6. Don’t energy saving light bulbs need time to warm up?
Again, this is something that energy savings bulbs have got a bad reputation for but now, it’s undeserved. A modern energy saving bulb will only take one or two seconds to reach full brilliance, which is barely noticeable in your day-to-day life.

7. Can you recycle energy saving bulbs?
Yes you can! Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations, anywhere that sells energy saving light bulbs has to provide information on where they can be recycled. Many of the larger retailers will even take them away for you.

8. Aren’t energy saving light bulbs a danger to your health? I’ve heard they can cause migraines?
Some people have concerns that energy saving bulbs pose a risk to human health. Some of the most common concerns are:
Migraines: Many migraine support groups have raised this issue as a concern, the Department of Health is funding research into the matter.
Epilepsy: Many people fear than energy saving bulbs can cause epilepsy. However, Epilepsy Action says: “Epilepsy Action is not aware of any evidence that low energy light bulbs can directly trigger epileptic seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy”
Skin concerns: The Health Protection Agency state that open (single envelope) CFLs should not be used where people are closer than 30 cm to 1 ft to the bare light bulb for over 1 hour a day. At these distances CFLs might emit Ultra Violet (UV) light at a level less than equivalent to being outside on a sunny summer’s day. As of September 2009 as a result of EU legislation, all energy saving light bulbs emit a safe amount of UV light so pose no cancer risk.

9. I have lots of dimmer switches in my home – can I use energy saving light bulbs? What about Bayonet and Cap fittings –I’m not sure I like those weird-looking ones?
Traditionally, energy saving light bulbs have not been available for dimmer switch lights and were exclusively available in the “weird” design. However, as a result of recent innovations, energy saving dimmer switch lights are starting to become more widely available. Why not search for them online?
Likewise, energy saving bulbs are now available in both Cap and bayonet fittings in a range of designs –including “lookalikes” which are exactly like traditional designs. The Energy Saving trust has a comprehensive guide to the different energy saving light bulbs on their website.

10. Is it more energy-efficient to keep energy saving lights on all the time, or should I turn them on and off as needed?
Turning a light on uses about the same amount of energy as keeping one on for two minutes –so it’ll be more efficient to turn them off as you leave the room if you know you’re not coming back for a short while.

So that’s it! The phasing out of incandescent light bulbs is a really positive step for you and the environment. With the economy going through such a tough time, who wants to spend their hard-earned cash on something as boring as keeping the lights on! Now you know all the facts, get some energy saving light bulbs for your home and treat yourself with the money you’ve saved.

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Green, energy-saving light bulbs are compact fluorescent lights that require much less energy to illuminate a room and they last much longer than traditional light bulbs. Find ways to save energy through light bulbs withadvice from a licensed remodeling contractor in this free video on home maintenance. Expert: Tim Gipson Contact: www.inhisstepsremodeling.com Bio: Tim Gipson is a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in Franklin, Tenn. Filmmaker: Tim Brown

Energy Saving Light Bulbs should be in all homes. We use the lights in whole day many times. But these lights consume lot of energy. Almost all the incandescence lights consume more energy than the fluorescent lamps. As the energy required to heat the filament in the incandescence lights is more where as in the case of fluorescent lamps there is no need to heat filament and therefore the energy required for such lamps is less.

There are different types of these power or energy saving lamps, which are as follows

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFLs) Bulb

These are 11 watt A19 compact fluorescent bulbs. These are energy saving bulbs as they save energy around 40 watts than that of the incandescent lamps. Along with this, supra compact fluorescent lamps will lasts around 10 times more than that of the incandescent lights by saving around 75% of the energy. These CFLs will give warm color tone and has around 10,000 long life lamp hours than that of the incandescent lights.

These supra life CFL will produce minimum heat, light intensity and provides the best color rendition. Along with these features these are low profile size so as to fit variety of fixtures. This will offer around 36,000 hours of life span by saving tremendous amount of the energy without the maintenance.

Blue Patriotic Light

These are the lights which will require no more replacements of the bulbs so one can replace there old bulbs with these bulbs so as to save the energy required. These are well for the home decoration purpose. This bulb is compassed with the three LEDs inside it therefore consumes less energy. These bulbs need around 8 watts of power and life hours is of 100,000 hours. The main feature of this bulb is that they are water, chip and chip resistant.

Halogen Floodlight

These are 38 watts PAR 38 halogen floodlight which saves energy up to 5660 hours energy. These lamps use the rigid quartz capsule which is more durable this will conform precise beam control to the help of solid state design. These lamps will save the energy up to 13% than any general halogen lights. The lamp is advantageous as it is provided with the coating this reflecting coating will pass heat outside the bulb through back and allows the light forward. These lights will survive for any commercial use where as it will survive for around the 5 years in the house hold.

These are the types of the energy saving light bulbs and due to the different technologies used they actually helpful in saving the energy.