By Blythe Copeland | Sun Dec 6, 2009 20:44
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Buy Green: Compact Florescent Light Bulbs
Get the best energy-saving glow with these five compact florescent light bulbs.
Switching to compact florescent light bulbs is an almost cliché way to showcase your environmental efforts?but just because it's shorthand for an easy way to go green, that doesn't mean it's not effective. CFLs give off just as much light but use fewer watts than incandescent, so they cost less to run and give off less heat?plus, they last as much as 10 times longer. But how can you get just the right energy-saving glow? Read on for an easy breakdown, and for an estimate of how much you'll save over the life of the bulb by switching just one. (Estimates found using the Bulb Savings Calculator from the Environmental Defense Fund.)
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Long Life Energy Smart Spiral T3 Bulb From General Electric
Why We Like It: The Long Life Energy Smart Spiral Bulb from General Electric is a solid choice for an all-around bulb—it works in floor, table, and ceiling lights, wall sconces, and covered outdoor lights?and is approved for restaurants, facilities, offices, and shops.
Eco-Factor: This Energy Star-rated bulb gives off the light of a 100-watt bulb using only 26 watts—plus it lasts as long as 12,000 hours, so you won't have to buy them very often.
Expect to Save: $92 and over 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide
Where: Aubuchon Hardware
How Much: $6
Photo courtesy of General Electric Company
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Outdoor Compact Fluorescent Floodlight From EarthTronics
Why We Like It: If you're swapping out floodlights, try EarthTronics' Outdoor Compact Fluorescent to keep your property bright without running up your bills; the bulb also replaces a 90-watt bulb in recessed or track lighting.
Eco-Factor: EarthTronics promises its bulbs will save more than 75 percent of the energy you're currently using over the 10,000-hour life of the bulb?plus the company donates 1 percent of sales to environmental initiatives.
Expect to Save: Since the EDF site doesn't offer a 90-watt option, we'll stick with EarthTronics estimate: $67 and 985 pounds of carbon dioxide
Where: 1000 Bulbs
How Much: $14
Photo courtesy of EarthBulb/EarthTronics
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Marathon Triple Tube From Philips
Why We Like It: Get the most from your Philips Marathon Triple Tube's 12,000-hour life by installing it in a table lamp, ceiling fixture, sconce, or covered outdoor light?since they work almost anywhere, they're an essential home maintenance item.
Eco-Factor: The Philips triple tube contains less mercury than other CFLs, making it a safe alternative to all your 40- or 60-watt bulbs while saving you up to 46 watts every time you use your lamp.
Expect to Save: $55 and nearly 730 pounds of carbon dioxide (when swapping a 60-watt bulb)
Where: Bulbs.com
How Much: $14
Photo courtesy of Philips
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Mini Candle From MaxLite
Why We Like It: The The MaxLite Mini Candle (PDF) is just the right size for chandeliers, sconces, and other decorative fixtures; made in the shape of a candle, they're attractive enough to show off without detracting from the rest of your décor.
Eco-Factor: Made to replace your 25-30-watt bulbs, the mini candle lasts 10,000 hours while using just one-quarter of the energy of traditional bulbs.
Expect to Save: $300 and 3,890 pounds of carbon dioxide
Where: Light Bulb Emporium
How Much: $5
Photo courtesy of MaxLite
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Dulux EL Classic A-Line From Sylvania
Why We Like It: The The Sylvania Dulux EL Classic (PDF) has the classic 'great idea' shape of traditional bulbs?so the change-averse people in your house will come around more easily?with the energy savings of a CFL.
Eco-Factor: With a life of 8,000 hours, the Energy-Star rated Sylvania Dulux has plenty of time to save you energy and money by replacing your 60-watt incandescent bulbs.
Expect to Save: $90 and 1,210 pounds of carbon dioxide
Where: Bulb America
How Much: $8
Photo courtesy of Sylvania
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