Energy Saving Light

Light Energy Saving Tips

Something that seems to have attracted nearly everyone's attention of late is the rising cost of fuel and how it is affecting the global economy. They say that every cloud has a silver lining so what good can come from this and what has this to do with the energy saving light? It appears that the fuel prices going up has led to an increase in the awareness of global warming and the impact on the environment.

There are energy saving tips published in many places trying to encourage the planet to 'go green'. Some of these tips have been around for years but as the planet now appears to be experiencing climate change, people are starting to take the warnings more seriously and pay more attention to these tips on the energy saving light that not only will save home energy and money but may be essential to our very survival.

It sounds all very melodramatic doesn't it? Should we be concerned? Yes. Can we really do anything about it that will make a difference? Who knows whether it is too late or not. We can only try especially now that the information technology is fast shaping our future.

Let us examine one place where we can start. Let us look at the energy saving light.

The Energy Saving Light

Generally, the energy saving light is in no way different to the traditional type of light as far as their physical appearance and function is concerned however light manufacturers have created lighting devices that will lighten the burden of paying high prices for lighting off our shoulders.

Normally, the lighting of a typical house would consume at least 10 to 15 percent of the electricity bill. This certainly adds up at the end of the quarter. Lighting also represents around 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from households.

Typical light bulbs convert the electricity to light and heat energy. You would have noticed the heat from a light bulb whenever you are close to it. Incandescent light bulbs convert 95% of their electricity into heat and only 5% into light. The light bulb consumes more energy but provides lesser illumination. It is inefficient to be producing this heat from a device designed to produce light energy. The result is less light at a higher price. Energy saving light works in a different way. It provides greater amount of illumination without having to consume a large amount of energy.

Artificial Lighting Sources

The concept of energy saving light is based on you getting the same amount of illumination with less energy consumption.

The lumens per watt is the measurement of the amount of light output from a tube or bulb. Lumens are the general unit of measurement by most lighting devices. In simple terms, it is the amount of light being projected by a certain light bulb. For example, a 100-watt lamp has an output of 1750 lumens.

Let us look at a few examples of energy saving light. They are the Cold Cathode Lights, Compact Fluorescents Lamps (CFLs), and the LED Lights.

The Cold Cathode Lights are considered to be the best energy saving light in terms of lumens per watt. These tubes operate at a much higher voltage and lower current than conventional fluorescent lamps. It works by passing an electrical current through a gas or vapour.

The advantages of the cold cathode lights are that they do not get hot. They are up to five times brighter than neon lighting and has one of the longest lives of any lighting fixture at about 50,000 hours. They take as little as 7.5 watts of electricity per foot, operate between 9 and 15 volts and are excellent for general room lighting, table and desk lamps and in pc cases.

On the other hand, Compact Fluorescents Lamps (CFLs) are the effective energy saving light alternative to incandescent lights. They are fluorescent tubes shaped to fit an ordinary light fitting. They are an energy saving light that produces the same amount of lumens or illumination but with less energy consumption.

CFLs use around 20 percent of the energy to produce the same amount of light because they waste far less energy creating heat. They also last from 6000 to 15000 hours or between four and ten times longer then the average incandescent light bulb.

There are different types of CFLs to suit most common applications in households and new CFLs are being developed to suit some less common applications. Changing one 60W light bulb to an 11W CFL can save $16 per year off your electricity bill. Now that is something worth thinking about! .

Another potentially efficienet alternative energy saving light are the LEDs or the Light Emitting Diodes. The LED for general lighting purposes is in its infancy as a new technology. They are currently used in many applications from task lighting and household applications of putting illumination in places where it is most needed such as in household appliances and phone screens.

LEDs can last lifetimes of up to 100,000 hours and have very high efficiency levels. These have a potential market in areas where the long life and therfore low maintenance schedules are of benefit. The only drawback with LEDs is the cost but this will improve with technology.

With the above mentioned features of energy saving light, people could really make a big difference to their energy consumption.

Remember, reducing your electricity bill is equivalent to saving power, thus helping the world save power for its future generations.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill.
Get a complete guide at Earth 4 Energy.

by  - Stephen Reeves

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