Green Technology

Everyone knows that one easy way to save money is to replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Flourescent Bulbs (CFB).  The ideal time is when an old bulb burns out.  The idea behind CFB is that they give more light per Watt than regualr incandesecent bulbs. 

CFB are more efficient at turning electricity into light - less energy is lost to heat compared to an incandescant bulb.  To see for your self touch (carefully) an incandescant bulb and a comparable flourescent bulb.

One benefit of this is that CFB are cooler and last longer.  The longer life and added cost mor than offset the extra cost.  Ans since they last longer they are an ideal choice for bulbs that are hard ti change.

What is the typical energy difference between incandescant and flourescent bulbs?  For example:

• A  60 Watt equivalent in a CFB uses 13 Watts (+ / -)
• A 100 Watt equivalent in a CFB uses 27 Watts (+ / -)

Along with the good there is a slight downside.  Many feel that CFB do not have the same pleasing light as an incandescent bulb.  Many do not but some are improving their lighing color to get closer to an incandescent bulk. 

I recently found 3 great places to buy CFB.

• Costco (or any of the buying clubs).  They have great deals on 4 packs of 100 Watt equivalent (23 Watt actual) and  8 packs of 60 Watt equivalent (13 Watt actual)
• Ikea has ab incredible supply of CFB in all wattages.  They even have them enclosed in glass bulbs so they look like a standard light bulb
• Home Debot has a neat 3 way (50/100/150) CFT.  As the bulb is longer than a typically 3 way bulb the "kit" includes two plastic extenders that lift the lamp shade an inch or so higher.  I found it worked for some but not all of my 3 way fixtures.

Check out ...

Costco at www.costco.com
Ikea at www.ikea.com
Home Depot at www.homedepot.com