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Energy Efficient Lighting Saves Big Money
Did you know? Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, last 5 to 10 times longer, save about $30-50 in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime and produce about 75 percent less heat which means they're safer to operate and cut energy costs associated with home cooling. A free seminar "Not your Plain Vanilla Lighting Retrofit" Friday, October 19th from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Nevada City Veteran's Hall will demonstrate how energy efficient lighting replacements can be very cost effective and will discuss in detail the advantages and differences of the various lighting options.
For example, CFLs are available in different sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors and provide the greatest savings in fixtures that are on for a substantial amount of time each day. Matching the right CFL to the right kind of fixture helps ensure that it will perform properly and last a long time. At a minimum, it is recommended that you install qualified CFLs in fixtures that are used at least 15 minutes at a time or several hours per day.
CFLs perform best in open fixtures that allow airflow, such as table and floor lamps, wall sconces, pendants, and outdoor fixtures.
For recessed fixtures, it is better to use a reflector CFL than a spiral CFL since the design of the reflector evenly distributes the light down to your task area. If a light fixture is connected to a dimmer or three-way switch, you'll need to use a special CFL designed to work in these applications. Make sure to look for CFLs that specify use with dimmers or three-way fixtures.
Choose a qualified CFL that offers a shade of white light that works best for you. For example, while most CFLs provide warm or soft white light for your home, you could choose a cooler color for task lighting. To choose the CFL with the right amount of light, find a qualified CFL that is labeled as equivalent to the incandescent bulb you are replacing. Light bulb manufacturers include this information right on the product packaging to make it easy for consumers to choose the equivalent bulb. Common terms include "Soft White 60" or "60 Watt Replacement. You should also check the lumen rating to find the right CFL. The higher the lumen rating, the greater the light output.
Also discussed are PG&E rebates and incentives and the class will consider payback versus long-term financial tools. Discussion will include lighting choices such as 3rd generation or super T8 lamps with extra efficient electronic ballast, advantages and disadvantages of reflectors for lighting, spectrally enhanced lighting, high performance fluorescent and metal halide high or low bay fixtures, LED exit signs, halogen infrared and ceramic metal halide accent lighting, new generation compact fluorescent lamps and manual and automatic controls for lighting.
For more information, contact PowerUp-NC at 470-8642 or email staff@powerup-nc.org or check out our website www.powerup-nc.org.
Energy efficiency seminars are offered by the PG&E Stockton Energy Training Center & Motherlode Energy Watch and Organized and promoted by PowerUp-NC
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