What is the Best CFL? Buyer Beware!

CFL Bulb for Recessed Lighting

I think one of the best ways I can help you know which brand of CFL bulb to buy is to share with you my experience with buying CFLs at the lowest price.  I made this mistake in a very large way and hope that this will help … continue reading

Best lighting cost comparison: Incandescent, CFL, LED

LED, Incandescent, CFL

Between Incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs, there are many different lighting options available for the homeowner.  The problem is that there are so many options, the energy-saving technology keeps improving, and costs keep adjusting.  I’ve done a cost comparison between incandescents and CFLs that showed how much better an … continue reading

It’s not the type of bulb, it’s how you use it

Green, Inc. (the NY Times Green blog) had a great interview with lighting designer Howard Brandston recently.  His main point being that CFLs do not put out the same quality of light as incandescent, and when picking a lighting solution for your home or business, you need to view the system as a … continue reading

The CFL's I Buy

CFL 4 pack

*Update – 03/20/10 – When I originally put up the post the bulbs sold at Home Depot were N:Vision brand.  That has now changed to EcoSmart brand.  I believe this is the same light bulb (I’ve purchased both and they look identical).  My guess is that Home Depot just decided … continue reading

Control your Lights: Automatic Off

My Sensor

One of the first energy saving devices I installed in my town-home when we moved in last year was an occupancy sensor for my kitchen lights.  The model was from Leviton and can be seen here.

The concept is extremely simple.  When my Wife or I enters the … continue reading

Lighting Cost Comparison – Incandescent vs. CFL

***Update – 10/4/09 – I have an improving lighting cost comparison that includes a lighting calculator and includes a residential LED bulb.  See the incandescent, CFL, and LED lighting cost comparison and calculator.

In the last few months I’ve heard this statement twice: “I want to conserve energy. I plan … continue reading

CFL Strategy

Once you’ve decided to replace your energy wasting incandescent bulbs with CFLs, you need to develop the right strategy.  Ideally, you would like to replace all your bulbs at once, but some people may not be able to tackle this expense all at once.

When my wife and I bought our townhome … continue reading

Mercury and CFL Recycling

I’m sure I’ll be writing a fair amount about CFLs on this blog, because even though they make so much sense, there still seems to be a fair amount of misconception about them by some in the public.

The biggest drawback to these light bulbs is the small amount of mercury contained … continue reading