Lighting

Perhaps the easiest way for a building owner to save energy (and money) is by making simple changes to the building’s lighting. Although efficient lighting fixtures are becoming more common, most homes and commercial buildings are still using incandescent lighting technology – a technology that functions the same today as it did in 1879 when it was invented by Thomas Edison.

Incandescent light bulbs burn unnecessarily hot. Only about 10% of the energy they use is actually turned into visible light, the other 90% is lost as heat. The most common way to avoid this waste is by replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficiency options such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Compact Florescent Lights (CFLs)
A CFL uses about 25% of the energy that an incandescent bulb uses while giving off the same amount of light and lasting up to 10 times longer. CFLs cost a bit more at the store, but the energy savings will more than make up for the additional cost. There are a variety of CFL options when it comes to color, lighting quality, shape, and wattages.

One important thing to remember about CFLs is that they contain mercury, a toxic material. A CFL typically contains about 3-5 milligrams of mercury. Properly disposing of the bulb when it burns out will keep mercury from contaminating landfills and ground water. Disposal options for CFLs, as well as other hazardous materials, often depend on where you live:

• The Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) lists hazardous waste facilities by county throughout Colorado on its website.
• Coloradoans can now drop off their used CFLs (as well as mercury containing thermostats) for recycling at any Ace Hardware store in the state.
• The Home Depot accepts expired, unbroken CFLs for recycling at all of its U.S. stores.
• To learn about what to do if your CFL breaks, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Three CFL Myths Debunked
Adapted from the National Geographic Green Guide, Spring 2008

1. CFLs won't work with dimmer light fixtures.
   Manufacturers are making bulbs that can be used with dimmers, however, they have a shorter life span. Make sure you always start the light at full power before dimming.
2. Lampshades don't fit on top of the spiral shaped bulb.
   CFLs are now being made with covers in all shapes and sizes, they even look like incandescent bulbs. You can buy CFL floodlights, globe bulbs for bathroom fixtures, and even candle shaped light bulbs for your candelabra!
3. The light from CFLs is too harsh & flickers a lot - it gives people headaches.
   CFLs are now being sold in different colors and light quality, including soft white and cool white. Full spectrum or "daylight" CFLs are also on the market. Like any product, the performance of CFLs depends on the quality. Remember - you'll save money in the long term by buying CFLs. Paying a little more for a quality CFL up front will still save you money in long run.
   
   

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Another option for efficiency lighting are light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs create light without releasing heat, are more efficient, last longer than CFLs, and don’t contain mercury. While LEDs are most commonly used for accent lighting and outdoor applications, LED light bulbs are now becoming available to consumers for household lighting.

LEDs have been used in traffic signals throughout the country with tremendous cost savings. For example, the City of Denver converted its traffic signals and pedestrian signs to LEDs, saving the city $800,000 per year in energy, labor and material costs. LED traffic signals use 90 percent less energy and last five times as long. LED exit signs and holiday lights are also becoming more common. A number of Colorado cities have changed the lights in their holiday displays from incandescent lights to LEDs. Some areas even offer holiday light exchanges to residents around the holidays.