We all know of the change a light bulb help the planet initiatives, but there is good reason behind them and the numbers may surprise you. If every home in the US replaced just ONE incandescent bulb with a low-E compact fluorescent bulb our nation could cut the emissions of greenhouse gases to the equivalent of 800,000 cars. We would save enough energy to light over 3 million homes a year and save over $600,000,000 in annual energy costs. That’s rather astounding don’t you think?
These energy saving bulbs do cost 350% to 500% more than traditional high energy use bulbs, but they use one fourth the energy and will last up to 7 years. In my eyes the $6.99 for a 3 pack of low-e 7 year bulbs at Home Depot is a much wiser buy. Although, many US consumers can’t seem to grasp the big picture as we are a nation of cheap consumers.
The majority would rather buy a cheap piece of junk that will last one year, toss it in a landfill and buy new the following year, which in the long run is costing them more. They only see the immediate out of pocket cost and for some reason can’t see how buying a quality good with the potential to last a lifetime is more cost effective.
Eco friendly bulbs have had there limitations, but this is all changing with some major new developments. Now CFs are available with dimming capabilities which has been a major consumer complaint about the bulb.This new development is so huge in the green design community that the 100% design exhibition in London featured Jason Bruges’ “electronic garden” centered around the worlds first fully dimmable energy efficient bulb. His exhibit won the inaugural award for innovative lighting design. Watch the video below to view the exhibit…
