As we become more aware of how our everyday habits affect the planet, we realize that making small changes in our day-to-day lives can achieve big results. One of those helpful changes is switching from regular incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs that not only help the planet, but also cost less to use.
There are two types of energy efficient light bulbs readily available. The first is compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs. These are the “curly” light bulbs that screw into regular lightbulb sockets. They are essentially miniaturized versions of the long fluorescent tubes that have been around for years. CFLs give a similar lighting effect to normal bulbs and come in a range of shapes and sizes.
LEDs (light-emitting diodes), the other option, are miniature solid-state devices. LEDs tend to last longer because there is no filament to burn out and are less bulky than both traditional and CFL bulbs.
Both types of bulbs have numerous benefits. Here are the two main ones:
They Save Money
CFL bulbs are four times more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours. Though CFL bulbs range from $2 to $25 each, and LEDs can be ten times more expensive than incandescent bulbs, the money they save on energy bills and replacement costs well outweigh their higher initial cost. CFLs can save you $30-$60 per bulb in energy costs over their lifetime, while LEDs can reduce your lighting costs by up to 90%. In addition, LEDs stand up to rough handling much better than incandescent bulbs due to their lack of a filament that can be broken by bumping or dropping.
They Help the Planet
Because these alternative lighting options require less energy to produce the same amount of light, they reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. For every energy efficient bulb you use, you reduce CO2 emissions by half a ton. What does this amount to? Think of it this way: if every US citizen switched just one incandescent bulb in their home to an energy efficient one, they could reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of 800,000 vehicles. That is a significant number, especially when you think about how easy it is to make the change. In addition to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficient bulbs produce less solid waste, as they last so much longer than incandescent bulbs.
Going green in your home does not have to be an expensive and time-intensive endeavor. By simply changing your shopping habits and buying LED or CFL bulbs instead of your traditional incandescent bulbs, you can save money and do your part to protect the planet.
TerraSol Energies provides energy-efficient electricity and lighting solutions to homes and businesses in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey. Please visit our website to learn more about going green and saving money on your energy needs.