QThe way our house is configured, a tubular skylight makes sense to bring in more light. But I heard that it's impossible to install these without outside air coming in through them. I don't want to get something that will mean drafty rooms and higher heating bills next winter. What's your take on this?
It's true that tubular skylights typically create some air leakage. But they can be installed in a way to minimize the problem.
That takes attention to detail, an understanding of how air moves, and knowledge of best strategies to prevent leaks. Make sure to follow all the manufacturer's instructions about sealing the tube and the end caps. After you've put the whole assembly together so that it's sealed from the tube top to the bottom, seal the cutout in the ceiling. Also, neatly wrap the tube in a fiberglass blanket to protect the diffuser from extreme temperatures in the attic. Do not interfere with any system that allows the tube to expand and contract. Good luck with your project.
QIread in your column that compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) give off far less heat than incandescent bulbs. So, won't my heating bills go up if I replace my incandescent bulbs with CFLs?
A little. But you'll offset that cost with lower electricity costs; as much as 75% off the lighting portion of your electric bill.
You see, the warmth coming off a traditional light bulb (it uses only 10% of its energy to create light; the rest is lost as heat) is generated by electricity, which typically is more expensive than the fuel you use in your central heating system or wood stove. So, it makes financial sense to swap out your incandescents for CFLs.
Keep in mind that it also makes good sense to get rid of your incandescents now instead of waiting for them to burn out. You'll spend less buying new CFLs than you'll spend keeping incandescents lit. CFLs also can last as much as 10-times as long, so you'll need to buy fewer bulbs over the years. And don't forget outdoor fixtures; CFLs work out there too. Just make sure the starting temperature on the box matches Vermont's coldest outdoor temperatures.
QDo compact fluorescent light bulbs work in outdoor fixtures? Even in the winter?
Yes. Just look on the CFL package to make sure that you're getting a bulb with an operating temperature appropriate to our climate. The wording might be something like "Minimum starting temperature 0 degrees F".
Keep in mind that CFLs take a bit longer to get bright the colder it gets outside. So they aren't a good fit for lights where you want short periods of instant light, like on motion sensors. They're best for the old faithful porch light to come home to.
As with all CFLs, these bulbs use up to 75% less energy than incandescents and can last up to 10 times longer. And, like all fluorescent lighting, CFLs contain mercury - about 1/5 the amount in a watch battery. (To put that in perspective: Older household thermometers contain about 100 times as much mercury as in a CFL.). So, when it's time to retire a CFL, it can't be put in household recycling or trash. Recycle it at a participating hardware store or solid waste district. To find a location near you, visit www.newbulbintown.com.
QWhich uses less energy: A dimmer switch with an incandescent bulb or a regular switch with a CFL? I'm prepared to install dimmer switches if they're the better way to go.
You'll use less energy with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) than with a dimmed incandescent light bulb. Now, I hope you realize that you don't have to dim your lights to save energy. CFLs are designed to deliver the same light output as incandescents but with as much as 75% less energy. CFLs also can last up to 10 times longer.
If, however, you actually want less light, then the easiest energy-saving solution is to use the lowest-wattage CFLs you can find and skip the dimmer altogether. But if you want to have the option of variable light levels, by all means install dimmer switches and use them with CFLs that are specifically designed to be dimmed. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for writing in.
QI heard that you don't save energy with a CFL unless you keep it on for a few hours. I heard that this is because it uses so much energy to come on in the first place. Is this true?
It's a myth. The amount of electricity used when you turn on a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) is equivalent to the amount that a CFL uses in about five seconds of normal operation. What is true, however, is that frequently turning a CFL on and off can shorten its life. So, it's generally recommended that you use them in fixtures that are on for at least 15 minutes at a time. Regardless of how long you keep a CFL lit, it can use up to 75% less energy and last as much as 10 times longer than an incandescent light bulb.
When it's time to dispose of a CFL, remember to recycle it at a participating hardware store or designated waste facility. You can find the location nearest you at www.newbulbintown.com. You see, Vermont law states that we can't use household trash or recycling for the disposal of items containing mercury. That includes CFLs, button-cell batteries, and older thermostats and thermometers. It would take more than 100 CFLs to equal the amount of mercury in an old household thermometer. The mercury in a CFL can't escape unless the bulb breaks. You can also get info on cleaning up a broken bulb at www.newbulbintown.com.
Q Are LED (light emitting diode) Christmas lights worth buying? I'm not sure I want to spend money to replace lights that only stay on for a month or so.
A: Your energy savings would depend on what kind of lights you'd be replacing, how many strands you'd use and how long you'd keep your lights on. To give you an estimate, let's say you have 300 bulbs and you keep them lit five hours each day for 45 days. At a rate of 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour, you would spend about $60 to light large, non-LED bulbs and around $4 for mini non-LEDs. The cost of keeping LED bulbs lit for the same amount of time would be about 40 cents.
Another financial consideration is replacement cost. LED Christmas lights can last 20 years, so from a purchase-price perspective, they're cost-effective. I'll also mention that LEDs don't use a heated filament to produce light, so they run cooler, reducing fire risk. Whether you decide on LEDs or not, have a great holiday!
Q Is it okay to use compact fluorescent light bulbs in my porch light fixtures? Will they work in the winter weather?
A: Yup, some CFLs are specifically designed to work in winter weather. To find them, take a look on the CFL packaging and you'll see the operating temperature. Wording might be something like "Minimum starting temperature 0 degrees F".
Keep in mind that CFLs take a bit longer to get bright the colder it gets. So they are not a good fit for lights where you want short periods of instant light, like on motion sensors. They're best for the old faithful porch light to come home to.
As with all CFLs, these bulbs use up to 75% less energy than incandescents and can last up to 10 times longer. And, like all fluorescent lighting, CFLs contain mercury - about 1/5 the amount in a watch battery. (To put that in perspective: Older household thermometers contain about 100 times as much mercury as in a CFL.). So, when it's time to retire a CFL, it can't be put in household recycling or trash. Recycle it at a participating hardware store or solid waste district. If you need to find a location near you, visit New Bulb in Town.
Q I like the fact that compact fluorescent light bulbs use so little electricity. But does the mercury in them make them dangerous when they burn out? Also, can you tell me why mercury is in there? Is it possible to make an energy-saving bulb without mercury or with less mercury?
A: Good questions! The mercury in a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) stays safely sealed in an unbroken bulb whether the CFL is burned-out or not. The mercury is in there because it enables a CFL to produce light with little electricity. When electric current passes through mercury vapor, the mercury emits ultraviolet energy. When this ultraviolet energy passes through a bulb's phosphor coating, it produces light very efficiently; using as little as 25% of the energy that an incandescent bulb consumes.
Some CFL manufacturers are leading an effort to reduce the amount of mercury in CFLs. Currently, most CFLs contain 5 milligrams of mercury, which is about a fifth of the amount in a watch battery. But newer CFLs, with as little as 1 or 2 milligrams, are starting to become available in some Vermont stores.
Like any mercury-containing product, burned-out CFLs can't be disposed of in regular trash or recycling in Vermont. So, if you have unbroken, burned-out CFLs, you can take them to many Vermont hardware stores for free recycling. You also can take broken and unbroken CFLs to many waste-disposal facilities. To find a participating location near you, visit New Bulb in Town.
QI've been hearing a lot about replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, to save energy. I want to do it, but it feels wasteful to get rid of perfectly good light bulbs. I think that you should advice people to put in CFLs only after incandescents wear out. If I'm wrong about that, please explain why.
A: I know what you mean; it goes against a Vermonter's grain to toss something that's useful. But as far as I'm concerned, compared to CFLs, incandescents aren't actually useful. Incandescent bulbs demand as much as 75% more energy and burn out as much as 10-times faster than CFLs. So the wasteful option, it turns out, is to keep the functioning incandescents.
I look at it this way: I paid about 60 cents for the 60-watt incandescent I used to have in the lamp beside my favorite armchair. Less than two months after replacing it with a CFL, I earned those 60 cents back in energy savings. If you multiply that savings by every light socket in the house, for all the years that CFLs last, the savings are significant. So, throwing out a functioning incandescent actually saves me money.
If you're concerned about the environmental impact of adding more trash to the landfill, keep in mind that incandescents damage Vermont's environment as long as they're lit. That's because they demand more electricity from power plants that, in turn, pollute the air. Bottom line: Hanging onto old incandescents costs you, and the environment, day after day. Thanks for the great question!
QMy dad noticed that I switched over a bunch of lamps in my house to CFLs. He said it was a bad idea because trash haulers and dumps won't take them. Is it true that there's nowhere to dispose of CFLs?
A: No. While your dad is right that you can't toss compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in the household trash or household recycling, there are plenty of places in Vermont where you can dispose of CFLs. You can bring unbroken bulbs to many hardware stores for free recycling. You also can take broken and unbroken CFLs to many waste-disposal facilities. To find a participating location near you, visit New Bulb in Town
QI teach high school science, and my students are curious about compact fluorescent light bulbs. I hope you can help me out with these two questions about the basic functions of these bulbs. Why are they spiral? What is the function of the base? Thanks in advance!
A: I'm glad to help. You can start by directing your students' attention to the familiar overhead tubes that most likely light your classroom. I?m sure they'll be able to identify these as fluorescent lights. You can explain that the more light we want from a fluorescent light, the greater a tube's surface area needs to be. If your class then takes a look at a compact fluorescent light (CFL), they'll see that this, too, is a tube. CFLs have simply been shaped into a spiral so that they?ll take up the same amount of space as a traditional Edison bulb without losing the surface area needed to produce good quality, bright light. Thus the term 'compact fluorescent'.
As for the base of the CFL, it's called a ballast. This is an electronic device that provides the voltage necessary to turn on the light and then regulates the voltage to allow the CFL to operate with the highest efficiency. Ballasts serve the same purpose in those overhead fluorescent lights in your classroom, but they're part of the fixture, not of the tube. If your students are interested in learning more about energy efficiency, you can arrange for a speaker from Vermont Energy Education Program to conduct a hands-on workshop in your classroom. Visit the Vermont Energy Education Program.
QI'm helping my son furnish his first home. It's a condo that needs lots of new lighting -- ceiling fixtures, table lamps and floor lamps. Can you tell me what the energy-saving difference is between buying an energy-efficient lamp versus buying compact fluorescent light bulbs and putting them in a regular lamp?
A: You will get the same energy-saving benefit from compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) no matter where you use them. For readers who don't know, I'll mention that the benefit is as much as a 75% reduction in energy use, plus non-energy benefits like high-quality light and as much as 10 times longer bulb life than incandescents.
The advantage of an energy-efficient fixture is that you're guaranteed to use less energy because it's designed specifically for CFLs. So, you'll never be tempted to put a high-energy light bulb in it.
The best times to consider getting energy-efficient fixtures is when you're renovating, decorating, replacing non-functional fixtures, or fitting-up a newly constructed space. So, it sounds like your son is a good candidate for energy-efficient fixtures. You and your son can find Vermont stores that carry energy-efficient lighting by visiting the residential marketplace section. I hope your son enjoys making his new place a home.
QEvery year, I put a hockey rink in the backyard. Now that my kids are old enough to be out there for hours at a time, I'd like to save on the cost of lighting it. I'm not counting on my kids remembering to shut off the lights, so are there energy-efficient flood lights that would work with a motion detector?
A: Yes, many energy-efficient flood lights are designed for use outdoors year-round, even in the coldest locations. Numerous lighting store and hardware store owners in Vermont are knowledgeable about all this, so take advantage of their help. To find a store selling energy-efficient lights near you, visit the residential marketplace section of Efficiency Vermont.
As for using energy-efficient bulbs in motion detectors, sure, you could do that. The only downside is this: A motion detector is designed to shut off between three and ten minutes after each time it comes on. If your kids are standing still at that moment, the lights will go off until someone moves. Another option is to install a timer, to automatically turn off the lights after a specific time, such as an hour. The disadvantage of a timer is that, if it turns off the lights while the kids are still on the rink, they'd need to skate in the dark, to go to the timer and reset it, instead of simply waving an arm to engage a motion detector. It's your call as to whether or not a short shut-off time or the need for timer-resetting would pose a safety problem or if it would bother the skaters.
QWe have a 1970s bathroom light fixture with five bulbs. It's like Vegas in there. Eventually, we'll replace the fixture, but to save energy in the meantime, we've put in three compact fluorescent bulbs and left two sockets empty, which lights the room just fine. My question is: Do those empty sockets use energy when we flip on the switch? Because if they do, we're thinking we might as well put bulbs in.
Great question. The amount of electricity used by an empty light socket is so miniscule that it won't show up in your electric bill. The real issue here -- other than Vegas aesthetics -- is safety. An empty bulb socket is live when the switch is turned on. That makes it a shock hazard if something comes into contact with the conductors inside the socket. While the likelihood of that happening with a wall or ceiling fixture is low, why take the chance?
I suggest that you put a burned-out incandescent bulb into the unneeded sockets. If you don't have a burned-out bulb, put in a new one, turn on the switch and then, before the bulb has a chance to heat up, gently twist the bulb counterclockwise, just enough until it goes out and not so far that it's at risk of falling out. You can leave it like that until you replace the fixture. It's no more funny-looking than an empty socket, and you'll protect everybody in the house from the shock hazard without using extra electricity.
QDoes it take more energy to turn my TV and lights on and off than it does to leave them running?
A. No, that's an old myth that causes a lot of people to waste a lot of energy. Leaving lights, TVs, computers and other appliances running - even when they're not being used - doesn't save energy. I like to use the 5-minute rule: If you know you're not going to return to a room for at least 5 minutes, shut off all the appliances in that room, including the lights. For fluorescent lights, use the 15-minute rule.
QHow much energy do Christmas lights use?
A. That depends on the kind you use. Standard mini-bulbs use about 25 watts per 50-bulb strand. If you leave four strands on all night long for a month, the electricity will cost you approximately $5. The larger old-style lights can use as much as 250 watts per 50 bulb strand so will cost 10 times as much as mini-bulbs. If you're looking to reduce costs associated with holiday lighting, your best option is the LED variety. LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, use as little as 2 to 4 watts per strand and can last for 20 years. They don't use a heated filament to produce light, so they also run cooler, reducing fire risk.
QCould you tell me about the electricity usage and the safety of halogen torchieres?
A. Although many people love their look, halogen torchieres are the perfect example of a low-priced - and potentially dangerous - technology that proves to be costly over the long term. A 300-watt halogen torchiere used four hours a day will consume 438 kWh per year (about as much as an ENERGY STAR refrigerator!) and will cost about $55 per year to operate - easily more than the lamp cost in the first place.
As for the safety issue, a torchiere with a high-wattage (200-500 watts) bulb creates temperatures of 970 to 1200 - enough heat to fry an egg! The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there have been at least 189 fires and 11 fire-related deaths directly attributed to halogen torchieres and have instituted a voluntary recall of some 40 million halogen torchiere lamps.
If you like the look of a torchiere, think about replacing your halogen model with one of the new energy-efficient torchieres now available. Several companies make energy-efficient torchieres with compact fluorescent bulbs that are much cooler to the touch. Many of these new attractive models feature full dimming capability, are much safer, use a fraction of the energy - and offer instant, in-store ENERGY STAR rebates.
QHow can I get a "daylight" look in my office space with CFLs?
A. I'm guessing you're in a space that doesn't get much natural daylight. If you're just looking to brighten things up, check out what's in your overhead lighting fixtures. Replacing older fluorescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR�®-rated bulbs that have a higher "color temperature" - the color produced by any light is called its color temperature, measured in degrees Kelvin (k) - can give you a very bright, daylight look. Look for ENERGY STAR-rated CFLs within the 4,000K to 5,000K range, but watch out - you might just need your shades!
QWhere can I find compact fluorescent pointy bulbs with a candelabra base for my chandelier?
A. My first suggestion would be that you check with one of the larger lighting supply stores in your area. The store may be more familiar with the type of bulb you need. Since these lamps are available in a variety of sizes, employees may be able to recommend a good alternative choice or to special-order the bulb you need. If you can't find what you need, contact us and our customer service department will help you track the bulbs down.
QDon't CFL bulbs have the distracting habit of humming and flickering?
A. You will be happy to learn that most new fluorescent bulbs give you steady, hum-free light. The new electronic ballasts are not only more efficient, but also quiet and quick to start. Look for a quality product with the ENERGY STAR® label and be sure to ask for a demonstration at your lighting or hardware store.
QAre there energy-efficient bulbs we can put in recessed can fixtures and track-mounted spot lights?
A. Absolutely. Compact fluorescent lamps come in hundreds of shapes and sizes, including spot lights. You should be able to find them where ENERGY STAR® lighting is sold. Visit the Marketplace to find a retailer. These lamps can screw right into your existing cans or track fixtures, and provide just as much light at a fraction of the energy. As with other compact fluorescent lamps, look for the ENERGY STAR logo to ensure you get a good product.
QIs there a white compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) that has warmer type light?
A. Sure there is! The color produced by any light is called its "color temperature," measured in degrees Kelvin (k). With CFLs, the range of color temperatures varies from a warm, reddish-yellow 2,700K to a cooler, bluer 6,500K. It sounds like you're looking for a color of light similar to what you'd get from a conventional incandescent light bulb, so you'd want to stick to the bottom of the scale. Look for CFLs with a color temperature between 2,700 and 3,000K.
QWhere can I find a non-screw-in bulb for my ENERGY STAR® lamp?
A. Bring the old bulb to your local hardware or lighting store. Even if they don't have one in stock, they should be able to identify the model and order it for you. If you need a list of lighting retailers in your area, contact us or visit the Marketplace or check the manufacturer's web site.
QHow much energy do energy-efficient light bulbs save?
A. Energy-efficient light bulbs-also known as compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs-use one-third the energy and provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs. CFLs can last seven to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs. Ask your storekeeper for a rebate form, and you'll get money back from Efficiency Vermont for up to six CFLs.
QDoes using fluorescent bulbs offer any other benefits?
A. Good question. Because they use less energy, fluorescent bulbs actually help reduce the amount of pollution caused by energy production - including the emission of mercury (from coal combustion) into the environment. When you use compact fluorescent lights, you reduce mercury pollution by lowering the demand for electricity from power plants that emit mercury. A power plant will emit 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run one incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4 mg to run a compact fluorescent light for the same time.
Switching to fluorescents may also help reduce global warming, which experts attribute mainly to the emission of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. To generate one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy in New England - about what it takes to run one 100-watt bulb for 10 hours - approximately 1.18 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted. Replacing just three incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents can eliminate 214 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, or more than 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of those bulbs.
QCan energy-efficient light bulbs be used outdoors?
A. They sure can. Just look on the box for the bulb's starting temperature, to be sure that it matches the temperature range where you'll use the bulb. Be aware that the colder it gets outside, the longer it will take for these bulbs to come to full brightness. So locate them accordingly.
Q When will manufacturers offer a compact fluorescent light in the bulb shape I'm used to?
A. They already do! If you really prefer the look of a traditional bulb, look for an encapsulated fluorescent bulb. They are available with either round or half-hourglass shape frosted glass globes. If you're having trouble locating them, visit the Marketplace for a list of local suppliers.
But, you know, the spiral bulbs you're referring to really give off great light, and the shape isn't noticeable when you hide them behind shades or in glass globes.
QI can't find a spiral bulb that will fit my lamps. What can I do?
A. Not being able to find a compact fluorescent bulb to fit your lamps was a pretty common problem with older bulbs. However, today there is a wide assortment of shapes available. Finding one that fits usually isn't a problem. But if you're just not having any luck, there are a couple of things you can do.
Try getting a taller or a wider lamp "harp" (the piece that clips into the lamp and that you screw the shade onto) or attaching a harp adapter to the base of the harp to make it wider. You should be able to find both harp and harp adapters at lighting stores as well as many craft and hardware stores.
QWhy can't I just put my "dead" fluorescent bulbs in the trash?
A: Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain small traces of mercury (only 4mg * - less than the amount in a watch battery). Using CFLs actually reduces mercury pollution by helping to lower the amount of energy we use. Decreasing energy use reduces the amount of mercury released by power plants into our environment.
When products containing mercury are placed in the trash, the mercury doesn't disappear. Instead, it finds its way into the environment. That's why any mercury-containing bulb, regardless of the amount of mercury, should never be discarded in the trash, but handled as hazardous waste and stored carefully to avoid breakage. Visit the Vermont Mercury Education & Reduction Campaign (MERC) web site for handling, storage and recycling information, and to find a recycling site near you. Also, True Value stores in Vermont offer free fluorescent bulb recycling.
Q Last year I bought LED Christmas lights, which I love. Are there other LED options for my home?
A. Yes, LED (light-emitting diode) products are being made for a range of residential and commercial uses. Be aware that, while LEDs use very little energy, their light output and light quality are generally low compared to compact fluorescent bulbs. So, good current uses are limited to such items as the holiday lights you like, night lights, exit signs, commercial signs and traffic lights. But watch this emerging technology; LED quality and pricing are both improving.
Q Which uses less energy: A dimmer switch with an incandescent bulb or a regular switch with a CFL? I'm prepared to install dimmer switches if they're the better way to go.
A. You'll use less energy with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) than with a dimmed incandescent light bulb. Now, I hope you realize that you don't have to dim your lights to save energy.
CFLs are designed to deliver the same light output as incandescents but with as much as 75% less energy. CFLs also can last up to 10 times longer.
If, however, you actually want less light, then the easiest energy-saving solution is to use the lowest-wattage CFLs you can find and skip the dimmer altogether. But if you want to have the option of variable light levels, by all means install dimmer switches and use them with CFLs that are specifically designed to be dimmed. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for writing in.
