From Guest Blogger Jessica Max: Tips on Buying Green Light Bulbs

In times of increasing environmental awareness, it is always good to make changes. One big change is to gain better control over the use of your household. While you are home, you know that lights are turned on and off constantly. When you are not home, you are less likely to know how often people are wasting the electricity. That is why many people have thought about the importance of switching old incandescent light bulbs with new, improved LED or fluorescent varieties. Make a change that is big enough to affect the green movement by investing in green light bulbs. Start by considering a variety of simple tips to point you in the right direction.

1. Buy specially designed energy efficient bulbs

Buy light products that are specially made to use minimal amounts of energy. The initial costs seem high, but the costs are made up for gradually over time. LED lights are the most effective when it comes to saving energy. The lifespan lasts for many decades and can be as long as the user’s life. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are also known for being very long lasting and energy efficient; however, these lights are less efficient than the LED counterparts. Incandescent bulbs are the oldest and most widely used lights, but they are the shortest lasting and the least effective at saving energy.

Lights are measured in watts and lumens. When you buy LED’s, check the lumens that indicate the levels of brightness. Watts indicate the amount of energy used to power your lamp. Usually, the fewer number of watts and lumens needed to get the effects you want, the more efficient the product. You can convert watts into lumens and vice-versa with the use of compatibility charts found online. (Editor’s note: This isn’t true; lumens and watts are independent of one another; that’s the point she’s actually trying to make:  you want the highest possible ration of lumens per watt.) Be cautious of numbers and their significance when you make any purchase. Every product has a label containing basic facts for a good reason. Review the basics of light bulbs, such as the cost, level of brightness, annual cost, amount of power, lifespan and more.

There are many different companies that make it easier for people to make green product purchases. Energy Star is a government-related organization that helps consumers. The products are approved by the standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). No consumer can ignore the reliability of green light bulbs recommended by the EPA.

2. Install the lights in the right places

Second, only install energy efficient bulbs in places where you plan to use them most. It would not make sense to place them in rooms where little or no activity occurs. Be aware of the different colors available because LED’s come in many varieties, such as green, blue and golden along with color combinations.

3. Use a dimming switch often

No light bulb is entirely efficient without the use of a dimming switch. This device allows you to dim the lights whenever you need less brightness and more energy savings. All at once or separately, you can dim several locations in the house from the bedroom to the living room.

Similar to light bulb buying guides, there are dimmer buying guides, as well. Have the greatest number of controls with digital dimmers. Dimming sensors combine the use of dimmers and motion sensors. Make sure you buy light bulbs and dimmers that are entirely compatible. Otherwise, the lights will dim often, flicker constantly and become hard to control in general. Make the most careful selection if you care about compatibility and high quality.

4. Buy automatic lights

Invest in lights that turn on and off automatically. When someone walks into the room, the lights turn on, and when they leave, the lights turn off. There are different reasons why people use automatic sensors. You may want to increase the security of your home by surprising burglars who step onto your property. When anyone enters the premises, see exactly who is there. Some people use timers that turn on the lights right before the waking alarm goes off in the morning. An environmentally conscious person needs automatic lights that switch on when no one is using the room. That way, no electricity is being generated or wasted. Everyone can benefit from the use of automatic timers and sensors that work at the owner’s command.

5. Buy ballasts, too

In any energy efficient system, use a ballast to control the amount of electrical current that reaches your lamps. Protect the lights from getting bombarded with excessive electricity. Have your lights operate only on the right amounts of current. During a storm, these ballasts prevent the lights from overheating and exploding.

Overall, use ballasts to maintain bright lighting in the room and reduce energy usage at the same time. These devices work like power surge protectors during times when excessive power is being used throughout the house. For the best results, buy ballasts that are the most compatible with the lights you are using.

6. Invest in Eco-friendly light fixtures

After you have chosen your energy efficient light bulbs, do not forget to find the right fixtures. Having this combination is ideal if you want the best results. Look for companies that specialize in products made of natural or recycled parts. You will find more than enough selections in online stores if none are found in regular stores. It is crucial that you look for non-flammable materials like wood or plastic.

Before you pursue any big endeavor, plan well and know what you are getting into. This tip is particularly true if you want to become more Eco-friendly. There are good and bad ways to buy green light bulbs, so you cannot simply leap into the task. With all the guides you read, you cannot take anyone’s advice without doing some research on your own. Even though LED lights are highly energy efficient, not all LED brands make quality bulbs. You have to consider the type of light, the cost, the brand and additional factors in order to buy the best and greenest light bulbs. When it comes to conserving energy and preserving the environment, the wise person will start by buying the right bulbs.

Author Bio:

Jessica Max is professional adviser for Ballasts at http://www.ballasts.com/, Jessica has also completed fellowship at New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowships. She has also written several articles about ballasts.