Shining a Light on Efficient Lighting

According to Energystar, switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save a homeowner up to 25% of their electric bill each year.

Lighting can be a big part of energy bills, and the ever-changing technology makes it hard to keep up with the latest energy saving light bulb designs.  UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety science company, offers tips to help consumers make the best money and energy saving choices for their lifestyle. 

About Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are fluorescent bulbs that are designed to emit as much light as traditional light bulbs while using less energy. CFLs can be screwed into standard light sockets and they give off light that looks similar to the common incandescent bulbs.

CFLs compared to standard incandescent bulbs:

• CFLs use about 75 percent less energy
• CFLs can last up to 10 times longer
• CFLs produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut home cooling costs.
• If the average home owner uses 10 incandescent bulbs (60 watts each), he/she could potentially save more than $600/year in electricity by switching to a 13-watt CFL. These calculations are based on the national average rate for electricity, which now stands at about 12 cents per kilowatt hour

What to Look For?
Whether opting for CFLs or LEDs, consumers should look for the UL Mark on packaging when purchasing lighting.  The UL Mark means UL engineers have tested samples of the product for safety hazards. If the LED carries the UL Mark, it is the manufacturer's representation that the product has been tested to meet UL's safety standards.

UL has developed LightSmart app to further help consumers with lighting decisions.  LightSmart, a free app for the iPad, Android and iPhone, is designed to help families transition their home lighting to energy efficient technology. Users can learn about concepts of energy savings, color, light and wattage, and then create a shopping list to take with them to a store. LightSmart also offers the ability to review regional energy prices so families can see the cost savings for converting from traditional to modern lighting technologies. The app is now available in the iTunes app store for iPad and iPhone and Google Play for Android users.  For more information on UL's LightSmart app, visit UL's latest press release.

Why Make the Switch?
Both compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) offer cost savings to users.  .  While CFLs are the most popular, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the adoption of LED lighting throughout the nation can deliver savings of $265 billion and reduce electricity demand by 33 percent in 2027. According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, one LED can save up to $6 a year in energy costs.

Sources:  U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR