As a nation we spend about one-quarter of our electricity on lighting, at a cost of more than $37 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Lighting accounts for the single largest portion of commercial electric bills, which means it can be a big contributor to reducing energy costs. Much of this expense is unnecessary.
Today, manufacturers have created products that can help cut costs 30% to 60% while enhancing lighting quality and reducing environmental impacts. Installing energy efficient lighting is one of the best things anyone can do for the environment. Efficient lighting reduces not only energy consumption but also emissions from power plants. This means less air pollution and related human health effects.
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. CFL's use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
Light bulbs have changed from the days of Thomas Edison. When you walk into the lighting area of a store, you now have so many different choices: CFLs, LEDs, Halogen. . . . and the traditional incandescent bulb. There are different "watts" and "lumens" counts and different colors too. But which one is really best for your needs? Stephanie Anderson, a lighting expert from Sylvania, helps explain just how to choose the best light bulb - for your needs and for your budget. Press play to watch the video.
Talent/Guest: Stephanie J. Anderson, Sylvania Lighting Expert Stephanie J. Anderson is head of public relations and chief corporate spokesperson for OSRAM SYLVANIA. She directs communications strategy, media messaging and public relations for the largest lighting company in North America.
