When you think of saving energy, light bulbs may not be the first thing that pops into your mind. Most of us consider large appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioning units, and computers as the household items that really run up our electric bills. However, believe it or not, doing something as simple and virtually inexpensive as changing the type of light bulbs we use can make a tremendous difference in the amount of energy we use every day.
For example, one of the most commonly used light bulbs in American homes is the 60 watt light bulb. By using these in your home every day you are also using up 1440 watt hours per day for every light that you leave on for 24 hours. If you exchange those 60 watt light bulbs for 25 watt light bulbs you have now dropped down to using 600 watt hours in a 24 hour period. Not only have you decreased the amount more than half, but if you consider this for a 30 day monthly utility bill period, it has saved you money.
While energy efficient light bulbs may be a bit more expensive to buy in the beginning, the amount of savings you see over time is well worth the difference in price. A 60 watt incandescent bulb has an average life span of 1,000 hours. But, a 25 watt fluorescent light bulb can last up to 10,000 hours! Not only that, but a 25 watt fluorescent light bulb has the lighting equivilence of a regular 100 watt incandescent light bulb, so you will be getting more lighting while your electric bill gradually goes down.
So the next time you are wondering how you can save energy, take a look at your household lighting system. You just might find that saving energy and money can be as easy as changing a light bulb. After all, being a smart energy consumer doesn't have to be a hard change to make.
Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
