Let there be Light!

Lighting is essential in any home; making up approximately 25% of a typical electricity bill, but luckily, also one of the easiest ways to make your home more eco-friendly. A few simple steps can get you started.

Getting cornered:

Placing lamps in corners can increase the amount of light given off because the light will reflect off of two walls instead of one. (Pennsylvania Utility Choice)

It’s all in the bulb:

Firstly, don’t use unnecessary wattage; choose a smaller one when possible. Then, keep your lighting fixtures clean because dirty bulbs don’t give off as much light. (Pennsylvania Utility Choice)

Glow Florescent:

Invest in CFL light bulbs! Compact florescent light bulbs (CFL) produce light much more efficiently than traditional incandescent light bulbs. CFL light bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and can last up to 13 times longer. (Flex Your Power)

Buyer Beware:

Before making the switch to florescent bulbs, beware that they do contain a small amount of mercury, only approximately the size of the tip of a ball point pen. The energy conservation benefits are worth it as long as they are disposed of properly. "According to the EPA, a power plant will emit 10 mg of mercury while producing the electricity needed for one incandescent bulb over the course of its lifetime. A CFL, in contrast, would result in the emission of only 2.4 mg of mercury over the same period." (Flex Your Power)
To find a recycling program near you click here. For more information on CFL blubs, click here.

Below is a short video that helps put lighting facts into real life terms.