The incandescent light bulb has been the standard since the light bulb became practical due to Edison's efforts in 1879. So here we are, 129 years later, and technology is providing us with a strong competition to the conventional light bulb.
As the building industry turns toward more energy efficient ways to build, Builders are offering more and more energy efficient options to home owners. The big yellow Energy Guide labels have been on major appliances for years, and the blue Energy Star Logo has started to accompany many appliances and fixtures recently as well. However, in order to take full advantage of some of the mechanics of energy conservation, attention must be paid to some very simple changes that each and every one of us can make.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs have been around for a while, and they are just starting to become more and more economical as the base price declines and the efficiency increases. The use of electronic ballasts has eliminated the "fluorescent hum", single second start up time is an industry standard, and the "color" of light is becoming warmer and more inviting. These bulbs gained the greatest acceptance with the introduction of the T2 Spiral. This was a super compact CFL that occupied the same space as a conventional 60watt incandescent. No longer was there a problem with an oversized bulb sticking out from a light shade. Other advancements in technology allowed for higher lumen output while still keeping energy consumption to a minimum.
This leads us to the latest advancement: the GU24 configuration.
The first thing that you will notice is the lack of a screw-in base. This is the major departure from other forms of Compact Fluorescent Lights. This two pin configuration is now specified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and will become the platform upon which all Energy Star compliant light fixtures will be built upon. The advantage of this configuration is a lower profile and compact design. Because the socket that the bulb engages can be a shallow disc, smaller and more discreet fixtures are now possible. The GU24, along with pervious generations of CFLs, combines a ballast with the lamp.
Since the Energy Star qualification is managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Star qualification for the GU24 will be higher than previous generations of CFLs. This is because the GU24 will have to meet the requirements of both agencies. The current CFLs need only meet the requirements of one of the agencies. The collaboration of the two agencies will result in a fixture that will be held to the highest energy efficiency standard available.
With all this talk about efficiency, the question must be asked, "how effiecient are these bulbs, really?" Based on averages, CFLs are 75% more efficient than comparable incandescent devices. So you will be saving a significant portion right there. Compact Fluorescent Lights also last 10 times as long. So even though the initial cost of the device may be more, the money that you will save over the long run will far outweigh the inital cost of a bulb. On average, a residential home devotes approximately 12% of its energy consumption to lighting. So you can quickly see that by changing just the bulbs in your light fixtures to a CFL, you could be putting 9% of your energy costs back into your pocket
Consolidated Construction Group is a member of the St. Louis Home Builders Association's Green Building Council. Consolidated Construction Group is committed to providing Green alternatives to every remodel need where possible and to pushing the standards of energy efficiency in the challenging industry of residential remodeling.