Lighting (Compact Florescent)

ISSUE:
Incandescent lamps are inefficient; typically over 95% of the energy it consumes is converted into heat, not light. The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incadescent bulb costs 5 to 10 times the original cost of the bulb itself. Lighting costs in a home can add up to a quarter of the energy budget of a household.

PRODUCTS:
Compact fluorescent lights screw into standard sockets and they use approximately ¼ the energy of incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Over their life, each bulb will save you an average of $45 per year on your energy bill. A typical house in New Orleans has 30 bulbs and would see an expected cost savings of $1,340 if they switched every bulb in the house.

LED lamps are the newest addition to the list of energy efficient light sources. They last 40,000 to 10,000 hours depending on color. You can get "white light" LED lamps, but some have a yellow or blueish glow. They are widely used in exit signs, traffic signals, under-cabinet lights, and some appliances. Smaller arrays, such as those in flashlights, headlamps, and small task lights are great for specialty and outdoor use. A new technology to the residential market, availability of this technology for applications in the home is likely to expand for the over the coming years.

EXPECTED RESULTS:
Alternatives to incandescent lighting lower the cost of energy. Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent light will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb, and air and water pollution are reduced. Both fluorescents and LED's can be more expensive initially, but they will pay for themselves quickly by conserving energy.

WHERE TO BUY:
This list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of listed suppliers.

Balthazar Electriks
3701 Tchoupitoulas St #A
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 891 – 5504

Canopy
1382 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 301 – 4347
www.canopynola.com

Conservation Technologies
3409 Lake Arrowhead Drive
Harvey, LA 70058
(504) 362 – 3672
conservtek@bellsouth.net

COST:
$2-$7 per bulb, depending on wattage

INSTALLATION:
DIY

AVAILABILITY:
Widely available in stores; Green Light New Orleans