A Good Way to Begin
Try simply changing out the five lights you use most
to ENERGY STAR qualified ones. You'll be doing your part to
reduce the emissions that cause global warming, and if all
of our homes did it, we'd prevent greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to those from more than 8 million cars.
You typically spend more to light your home than you do to
operate your refrigerator all year long. If you're still using
traditional incandescent bulbs and inefficient fixtures, you're
wasting a lot of energy and money-and creating a lot of unnecessary
pollution.
Switching to energy-efficient lighting can save you time,
energy and money-and help the environment. These products
last up to ten times longer, which can mean more than seven
years between bulb changes. And since they also use at least
two-thirds less energy, you'll save money on your utility
bills.
Did you know?
The average home has
approximately 30 lights. By
replacing the five most frequently
used light fixtures in your home
with models that have earned the
ENERGY STAR, you can save more
than $60* each year in energy
costs.
*Based on replacement of a kitchen
ceiling light, living room table lamp, living room torchiere,
bathroom bar or wall-mounted light, and outdoor wall-mounted
light. |
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Comparing Different Lighting Technologies
The table below summarizes some key criteria for evaluating
different lighting technologies.
| Technology |
CRI |
Efficacy |
Lifetime (hrs) |
Color Temp (K) |
| Compact Flourescent |
82-84 |
60-70 |
10,000 |
2700-2800 |
| Incandescent |
100 |
12-18 |
750-2,500 |
2,800 |
| Tube Flourescent |
84 |
92 |
20,000 |
3,000 |
| Halogen |
100 |
16-29 |
2,000-3,500 |
3,050 |
| White LED |
65 |
22 |
10,000-25,000 |
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Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measure of a light source's ability to recreate the
colors of an incandescent light source with a similar color
temperature. Because sunlight and most incandescent lamps
have CRIs of 100, 100 serves as the standard.
Efficacy is a measure of light output (lumens) per
Watt of electrical power needed by the lamp. Lumens measure
how much light is emitted. Watts indicate how much electrical
power is required.
Color Temperature is a way to compare the light color
from different types of lamps. It is not related to the
operating temperature of the lamp, but is often referenced
as cool or warm light. Incandescent lamps and candles give
off warm color temperatures, while sunlight and some fluorescents
emit cool color temperatures.
Sources:
National Lighting Product Information Program, Lighting
Research Center, 1999-2004
Technology Atlas Series: Vol. 1 Lighting, Jeanne Travisonon,
1997
The Lighting Pattern Handbook, Lighting Research Center,
1996
http://www.theledlight.com/lumens.html
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