BERLIN (Reuters) - Germans, who sometimes see themselves as guardians of the environment, are hoarding energy-guzzling incandescent light bulbs ahead of a looming European Union-wide ban, the GfK market research agency said. The Nuremberg-based GfK reported sales of incandescent bulbs had soared about 35 percent in the first half of the year ahead of a ban that starts Tuesday -- even though it was proposed by German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel in 2007. Some German retailers said they... Read Full Story
To Do Today
Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less!
If you have one of those silent guzzlers, a waterbed, make your bed today. The covers will insulate it, and save up to one-third of the energy it uses.
Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators... Read Full Story
Fluorescent lighting provides an array of benefits. Although fluorescent light bulbs initially cost more than incandescent light bulbs, the former pay for themselves within 3-12 months. Fluorescent lighting also conserves energy, meaning that you’ll not only save on energy bills, but you’ll also help to save the Earth! And unlike the first generation of fluorescent light bulbs, today’s versions don’t flicker, take several seconds to light up, emit an unattractive yellow glow, or buzz. That’s... Read Full Story
L Prize competition tries to sidestep early mistakes in quest for better light
by Adam Stein
Philips may claim the “L Prize,” a $10 million award from the Department of Energy for any light that can reproduce the color and intensity of a 60-watt bulb using only 1/6 the power. Further, the winning entry must last at least 25 times as long as a standard incandescent.
The L Prize was established, in part, to prevent a recurrence of the problems with CFLs :
The department considers... Read Full Story
Old-style 100-watt light bulbs will be banned in Europe's shops from next week in favour of new energy-saving models, but consumers groups on Wednesday gave the move a guarded welcome. From September 1, 100-watt versions of the old incandescent bulbs will be banned from Europe's shops and other bulbs with lower wattage will follow in the ensuing years, under a system agreed by EU experts last December. New technology light bulbs, such as compact florescent lights (CFL) can save up to 80... Read Full Story
If you love the idea of tea light lanterns but hate the idea of open flames and dripping wax, then this DIY is just for you. Learn how to convert a tea light lantern into a funky little compact fluorescent lamp! Things you need:
Tools:
Hand Drill
1/8″ (or similar) drill bit
Sheet Metal Step Bit (or a 7/16″ drill bit)
Materials:
Tea Light Lantern (I am using a “Roterra” from IKEA)
C7 Compact Fluorescent bulb (I am using an E12 “Sparsam” from IKEA)
Chandelier Bulb Socket
Lamp... Read Full Story
Looking for new lightbulb ideas....
Everyone knows that a light bulb is symbolic of a new idea. Cartoons and illustrations often show a character with a light bulb over their head when they come up with something brilliant. Thanks to Thomas Edison and Edison Labs in New Jersey, the invention of the light bulb really has illuminated our lives over the past century.
But now the Department of Energy is looking for another “ah-ha” moment. Its calling for a makeover of the ubiqutous bulb... Read Full Story
Fluorescent lighting provides an array of benefits. Although fluorescent light bulbs initially cost more than incandescent light bulbs, the former pay for themselves within 3-12 months. Fluorescent lighting also conserves energy, meaning that you’ll not only save on energy bills, but you’ll also help to save the Earth! And unlike the first generation of fluorescent light bulbs, today’s versions don’t flicker, take several seconds to light up, emit an unattractive yellow glow, or buzz. That’s... Read Full Story
One of the areas that seems the least understood when using green products is the "carbon footprint". To illustrate this point about green products, a simple story about the use of CFL (Compact Florescent Lamp) bulbs may help. When in a restaurant the other day, I noticed that the spoon was missing from the place setting. I looked around and it appeared it was the same all over the restaurant. I asked my server about this and she told me the order had just come down from "corporate" that no... Read Full Story
The beauty of Energy Efficient Lightbulbs is that it’s something that you can do right away to start saving on your electricity bill. Because the state and government subsidize these compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CLFs), they are really cheap and you can get a pack of them for under $5. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Energy pay for a portion of these builbs.
Energy efficient lightbulbs that have the Energy Star label will pay for itself in 6 months... Read Full Story
