Step 1: Change Your Lightbulbs
Remember the energy revolution? I knew you did. Even those who didn't join me get to help out as I outline each step and appeal to your inner goodness.
Plus energy efficiency is hot. And so are you if you play along.
You've probably changed all the lightbulbs in your home to energy saving compact fluorescents already. Saving the environment as well as money on your electricity bill.
Now do something for someone else. Maybe it's a friend who hasn't gotten around to changing their lightbulbs yet, because UFC is so damn compelling, or maybe you know an older person who can't easily reach high up light fixtures. Whoever it is, help them out by changing at least one of their bulbs.
And put those energy wasting bulbs away somewhere safe. You'll want them for a later step!
posted by kate @ 5:13 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Does this later step involve smashing? Cause if it does, I'm in. Otherwise, meh...
;-)
I want to head something off at the pass for those who either are on the bubble about going to CFL bulbs or those who don't like how CFL's turn out (light output).
I started wanting to go to CFL bulb's sometime last year but the wattage equivalent on most store-bought bulbs were only 60 watts. In previous CFL attempts I'd undertaken, even higher wattage bulbs (23 watts -- the equivalent to 100 watt standard bulbs) would look odd and cold.
When I decided to formally change bulbs around my house I didn't go to Home Depot or Lowe's to do my shopping. I went online to the Energy Federation Incorporated web site and got both an explanation about light output, quality and what not but there was a wider offering of bulbs (and other conservation items for around the house) than you'll see at Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Target, Home Depot and the like.
You can get lighting that ends up looking good and non-sickly (as some complain about CFL's) if you do a little research and make solid selections.
LED bulbs are becoming less expensive lately too.
And from what I hear, they don't have some of the problems that people complain about with CFLs.
http://www.ledlight.com/ for some information. I have a CFL in my home office right now. I plan to purchase an LED bulb soon and see which I like better. I think the LED, overall, is more efficient, so barring terrible light I'll probably go with those around the house.
You guys rock with the great ideas.
Jeff, thanks for the tips on the LED bulbs... They (the large ones) are still costly as hell though. I might just look into them for smaller uses (if I have to replace lights on the fridge).
OK, so I'm a little late to the party here, but maybe the lights aren't out yet? Rep Romanoff (you know, the Colorado Speaker of the House) is going to be encouraging the conserve-through-CFL approach too and he'll be encouraging all Coloradans to keep track of the bulbs they change at http://onebillionbulbs.com/Group/CO . So you all are the first to know; when you go to that link and enter the bulbs you've changed (and when), you'll get a nifty analysis of how much you're saving the world and how much you're saving yourself. Cool, eh?
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