Go Green
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is now a key issue within lighting choice, not only being vital for the environment but also for the household budget. Aesthetic and atmospheric lighting effects are now available, across a range of new lighting technologies which have become essential for modern energy saving. Compact Fluorescents have become one of the neatest prettiest lighting solutions in the kitchen despite being designed as a response to the 1973 oil crisis. Lower energy consumption across the US realistically achievable through use of the new compact fluorescent was to reduce the use of oil in power stations. This now has realized a new importance with the much needed reduction in pollution and global greenhouse gasses. These new sources of light save 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gasses and being more efficient are brighter giving off a quarter the heat of normal traditional light bulbs and lasting 5 times longer.
Developing countries have actually leapt ahead of the northern hemispheres usually further advanced technologies by leading the use of these new lamps. There is no doubt too that they save money over the life of the lamp. US government 2001 figures state that by their use household lighting energy usage across the US could be reduced from 9% to 2%. This would equal at least 3.5 million cars off the road in carbon emissions via carbon trade-off with the reduced demand on oil usage in power stations.
Also mercury air borne emissions from coal stations would be reduced, such is the new concept of nega –watts reducing energy consumption instead of increasing energy production. You could be part of this trade off from the comfort of your own kitchen and have some satisfaction in the reduction of global warming. Traditional light bulbs (incandescent) even though we are all so comfortable with them are so inefficient that to work properly their glass would have to resist temperatures that would turn them molten! 90% of electricity consumed is emitted as heat which in warmer countries is putting an unacceptable strain on electricity usage for room temperature conditioning.
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So consider other alternatives to the new compact fluorescents. These could be the new cold cathode fluorescent lamps. Being continually developed and improved they already give an amazing life of approximately 80,000 hours as opposed to ordinary bulbs of about 750 hours! Making dramatic savings on manufacturing carbon and energy output they also run on a trickle once warmed and provide an instant on light. Similarly the new favourite in the home, the halogen, provides instant turn on light but has broken away from the traditional bulky bulb. Its compact discretion has lent its use to a whole array of classy designer fittings in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. It will run on transformers reducing electricity usage and having a dichroic coating gives off a wonderful brightness. However it also gives off quite an extreme heat, so enter the new hero of the lighting world with staying power to develop and develop the L.E.D. L.E.D lighting has made a remarkable transition from being small light emitting diodes in circuit boards to now being used as super low wattage strips (0.8) to create a beautiful ambiance or a bright atmosphere light in its MR16 halogen size form. It is already far more electricity efficient than even the compact fluorescents and will one day have the brightness of its big brother the halogen without the electric usage and heat. L.E.D fluorescent style strip lighting is soon to be introduced. Destined to be the wheel of the lighting world the L.E.D will always be around in some form or another of exciting development.
If you would like more information on how you could make a difference please visit the following websites dedicated to saving the planet!
Company | Click to visit their website! |
| Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk |  |
| Carbon Trust www.carbontrust.co.uk |  |