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Aloha kakou,
I'm probably dating myself if I ask if anyone here remembers the Tuxedo Moon song, Lightbulb Overkill, but that's the phrase that popped into my head when I read about this campaign from the Environmental Defense Fund. It's so simple in concept, so elegant in execution, so inexpensive, and so very doable...
I've also included their guide to compact fluorescent bulbs.
Let's get lots of our fellow Tribe members to make the switch!
Cheerleading wale no... (just cheerleading)
Waihili
------------
Pledge to Switch a Light Bulb!
It's not too late to add your light bulb pledge to the campaign.
Take a small step for big results.
Join the Effort:
www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm
Dear Friend,
Wow! The Environmental Defense community has really stepped up.
Already, 50,000 light bulb swaps have been pledged, preventing
more than 50 million of pounds of global warming pollution.
But it's just the beginning of our Make the Switch Campaign to
reduce global warming pollution through the use of energy-saving
compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
Join the effort and switch a light bulb in your home:
www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm
Our goal for the Environmental Defense community is to switch
ONE MILLION light bulbs over the next year. This will cut global
warming pollution by more than ONE BILLION pounds.
Swapping out just one standard 100w bulb for a just-as-bright
CFL reduces global warming pollution by more than 1,300 pounds!
Here's what you need to know:
* Changing a light bulb makes a difference. If every US
household replaced three 60-watt incandescent bulbs with CFLs,
it would be like taking 3.5 million cars off the roads!
* CFLs save you money. A 20-watt CFL, which screws into an
ordinary light socket, is just as bright as a 60-watt
incandescent.
* Today's CFLs are dramatically better than a few years ago. You
won't miss your incandescent bulbs.
We're asking every member of the Environmental Defense community
to pledge to switch at least one bulb in the coming year.
But don't just stop at one bulb! If you and two friends pledge
to change out all the bulbs in your homes, we'll easily beat our
million-bulb goal!
Please take the first step today. Pledge to switch at least one
bulb in the coming year:
www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm
Sincerely,
The Global Warming Team at Environmental Defense
------------------
How to Pick a Better Bulb
Though we call them light bulbs, traditional incandescent bulbs are actually small heaters that give off a little bit of light—something you know if you've ever touched a bulb that's been on for a while. These bulbs were technological wonders when they were patented in 1880, but today they are inefficient dinosaurs. They waste energy and money, and they are responsible for millions of tons of global warming pollution.
The next generation of light bulbs
Fortunately, the next generation of bulbs is here: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) now give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity. Using CFLs puts less strain on the electric grid and saves you money. If every household replaced just three 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, we would reduce as much pollution as if we took 3.5 million cars off the roads!
If you were disappointed by CFL bulbs in the last couple years, it's time to try again. The design of the bulbs and quality of light have improved dramatically. Also, though the price of a CFL is higher than traditional bulbs, CFLs save in the long run. They lower your electric bill and last up to 15 times as long as the old-fashioned bulbs. Here's how to make the switch:
1. Start with one bulb.
For your first compact fluorescent purchase, buy just one to make sure that it throws the kind of light you want. Light from yesterday's fluorescent lights, common in offices and schools, can seem "cold." Light from CFLs is different and better—CFLs can achieve the same kind of lighting you're used to from incandescent bulbs. Look for packages labeled "2700 degrees Kelvin" or "warm-white."
2. Know your watts and lumens.
We are used to choosing bulbs by how much electricity they use—a 40-watt incandescent bulb is on the dim side and uses less power, and a 100-watt bulb is bright and uses a lot of juice. CFL bulbs have much lower wattage numbers than their incandescent cousins, but don't let that fool you. CFLs provide much more light at a fraction of the wattage of traditional bulbs. Because of this, CFLs are often categorized by lumens. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb gives off, and they are a more accurate way to tell how bright the new bulbs are.
Incandescent CFL Lumens Cost Savings CO2 Savings
40W 11-14W > 490 $39-$44 507-572 lbs.
60W 15-19W > 900 $62-$68 806-884 lbs.
75W 20-25W > 1,200 $76-$83 988-1,079 lbs.
100W 26-29W > 1,750 $107-$112 1,391-1,456 lbs.
150W 38-42W > 2,600 $163-$169 2,119-2,197 lbs.
Calculations for cost and CO2 savings assume 15,000-hour life for CFL.
If you don't want to print this page out, remember this rule of thumb: CFLs use about a quarter of the wattage to produce the same light. So to replace a traditional 60-watt bulb, buy a 15-watt CFL: 60-watt incandescent / 4 = 15 watts.
3. Get the right shape and size.
Many stores will let you return a bulb if you find it doesn't fit properly, but keep an eye on two factors to save yourself an extra trip.
First, some CFLs have a larger bulb, which can be too big for some lamps. Depending on where you're going to install your CFLs, be sure to know how big the shade is (to know how big a bulb it can accommodate) and whether or not the bulb will show.
Many CFLs have a coiled bulb, but there are now versions available that have the same shape and size as an old-fasioned bulb. These newer CFLs aren't available in many stores yet, but you can order them on a number of web sites. One vendor is offering a special discount on these bulbs in support of this campaign. (See the discounted bulb.)
Second, most CFLs screw into standard light sockets; however, on some bulbs, the plastic piece above the screw part is slightly wider and might not fit in every lamp. Avoid the modular bases that terminate with pins.
4. Buy Energy Star to save the most energy.
The most energy-efficient CFLs carry the Energy Star label, the imprimatur of the government-backed energy efficiency program.
5. Be careful choosing CFLs for a dimmer.
There are exceptions to this rule, but the majority of CFLs are not made for dimmers yet. There are a few that already do work, but scrutinize the package to make sure. Look for bulbs labeled "cold-cathode" and be sure the package says "for use in dimmers."
Even the bulbs made for dimmers should only be used with sliding dimmer switches, not the round, rotating dimmer switches.
6. Check for indoor or outdoor use.
CFLs are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Check the packaging to make sure you get the kind you need.
7. Dispose of your bulbs properly.
All compact fluorescents contain trace amounts of mercury. Recycling your burned out bulbs is the best option. Contact your local government (Household Hazardous Waste program) to see if recycling is an option in your area.
But don't worry -- changing to a compact fluorescent bulb will result in less mercury being released. Your reduced electricity use means far fewer mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
I'm probably dating myself if I ask if anyone here remembers the Tuxedo Moon song, Lightbulb Overkill, but that's the phrase that popped into my head when I read about this campaign from the Environmental Defense Fund. It's so simple in concept, so elegant in execution, so inexpensive, and so very doable...
I've also included their guide to compact fluorescent bulbs.
Let's get lots of our fellow Tribe members to make the switch!
Cheerleading wale no... (just cheerleading)
Waihili
------------
Pledge to Switch a Light Bulb!
It's not too late to add your light bulb pledge to the campaign.
Take a small step for big results.
Join the Effort:
www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm
Dear Friend,
Wow! The Environmental Defense community has really stepped up.
Already, 50,000 light bulb swaps have been pledged, preventing
more than 50 million of pounds of global warming pollution.
But it's just the beginning of our Make the Switch Campaign to
reduce global warming pollution through the use of energy-saving
compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
Join the effort and switch a light bulb in your home:
www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm
Our goal for the Environmental Defense community is to switch
ONE MILLION light bulbs over the next year. This will cut global
warming pollution by more than ONE BILLION pounds.
Swapping out just one standard 100w bulb for a just-as-bright
CFL reduces global warming pollution by more than 1,300 pounds!
Here's what you need to know:
* Changing a light bulb makes a difference. If every US
household replaced three 60-watt incandescent bulbs with CFLs,
it would be like taking 3.5 million cars off the roads!
* CFLs save you money. A 20-watt CFL, which screws into an
ordinary light socket, is just as bright as a 60-watt
incandescent.
* Today's CFLs are dramatically better than a few years ago. You
won't miss your incandescent bulbs.
We're asking every member of the Environmental Defense community
to pledge to switch at least one bulb in the coming year.
But don't just stop at one bulb! If you and two friends pledge
to change out all the bulbs in your homes, we'll easily beat our
million-bulb goal!
Please take the first step today. Pledge to switch at least one
bulb in the coming year:
www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm
Sincerely,
The Global Warming Team at Environmental Defense
------------------
How to Pick a Better Bulb
Though we call them light bulbs, traditional incandescent bulbs are actually small heaters that give off a little bit of light—something you know if you've ever touched a bulb that's been on for a while. These bulbs were technological wonders when they were patented in 1880, but today they are inefficient dinosaurs. They waste energy and money, and they are responsible for millions of tons of global warming pollution.
The next generation of light bulbs
Fortunately, the next generation of bulbs is here: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) now give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity. Using CFLs puts less strain on the electric grid and saves you money. If every household replaced just three 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, we would reduce as much pollution as if we took 3.5 million cars off the roads!
If you were disappointed by CFL bulbs in the last couple years, it's time to try again. The design of the bulbs and quality of light have improved dramatically. Also, though the price of a CFL is higher than traditional bulbs, CFLs save in the long run. They lower your electric bill and last up to 15 times as long as the old-fashioned bulbs. Here's how to make the switch:
1. Start with one bulb.
For your first compact fluorescent purchase, buy just one to make sure that it throws the kind of light you want. Light from yesterday's fluorescent lights, common in offices and schools, can seem "cold." Light from CFLs is different and better—CFLs can achieve the same kind of lighting you're used to from incandescent bulbs. Look for packages labeled "2700 degrees Kelvin" or "warm-white."
2. Know your watts and lumens.
We are used to choosing bulbs by how much electricity they use—a 40-watt incandescent bulb is on the dim side and uses less power, and a 100-watt bulb is bright and uses a lot of juice. CFL bulbs have much lower wattage numbers than their incandescent cousins, but don't let that fool you. CFLs provide much more light at a fraction of the wattage of traditional bulbs. Because of this, CFLs are often categorized by lumens. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb gives off, and they are a more accurate way to tell how bright the new bulbs are.
Incandescent CFL Lumens Cost Savings CO2 Savings
40W 11-14W > 490 $39-$44 507-572 lbs.
60W 15-19W > 900 $62-$68 806-884 lbs.
75W 20-25W > 1,200 $76-$83 988-1,079 lbs.
100W 26-29W > 1,750 $107-$112 1,391-1,456 lbs.
150W 38-42W > 2,600 $163-$169 2,119-2,197 lbs.
Calculations for cost and CO2 savings assume 15,000-hour life for CFL.
If you don't want to print this page out, remember this rule of thumb: CFLs use about a quarter of the wattage to produce the same light. So to replace a traditional 60-watt bulb, buy a 15-watt CFL: 60-watt incandescent / 4 = 15 watts.
3. Get the right shape and size.
Many stores will let you return a bulb if you find it doesn't fit properly, but keep an eye on two factors to save yourself an extra trip.
First, some CFLs have a larger bulb, which can be too big for some lamps. Depending on where you're going to install your CFLs, be sure to know how big the shade is (to know how big a bulb it can accommodate) and whether or not the bulb will show.
Many CFLs have a coiled bulb, but there are now versions available that have the same shape and size as an old-fasioned bulb. These newer CFLs aren't available in many stores yet, but you can order them on a number of web sites. One vendor is offering a special discount on these bulbs in support of this campaign. (See the discounted bulb.)
Second, most CFLs screw into standard light sockets; however, on some bulbs, the plastic piece above the screw part is slightly wider and might not fit in every lamp. Avoid the modular bases that terminate with pins.
4. Buy Energy Star to save the most energy.
The most energy-efficient CFLs carry the Energy Star label, the imprimatur of the government-backed energy efficiency program.
5. Be careful choosing CFLs for a dimmer.
There are exceptions to this rule, but the majority of CFLs are not made for dimmers yet. There are a few that already do work, but scrutinize the package to make sure. Look for bulbs labeled "cold-cathode" and be sure the package says "for use in dimmers."
Even the bulbs made for dimmers should only be used with sliding dimmer switches, not the round, rotating dimmer switches.
6. Check for indoor or outdoor use.
CFLs are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Check the packaging to make sure you get the kind you need.
7. Dispose of your bulbs properly.
All compact fluorescents contain trace amounts of mercury. Recycling your burned out bulbs is the best option. Contact your local government (Household Hazardous Waste program) to see if recycling is an option in your area.
But don't worry -- changing to a compact fluorescent bulb will result in less mercury being released. Your reduced electricity use means far fewer mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
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