Save Money, Save the Earth!

I am participating in the Mass Save blogger program working to further connect my readers to topics of energy efficiency. Mass Save, an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts’ gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers, “provides a wide range of services, incentives, training and information promoting energy efficiency to residents and businesses.” Mass Save works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. 

One of the easiest ways to save energy and money is to use CFL (compact fluorescent) or LED light bulbs instead of incandescent ones. Incandescent bulbs have been phased out, so I imagine most of you have already made the switch. 

Energy efficient lighting has come a long way and now has bulbs for most lighting fixtures. There are standard bath bar bulbs, LED reflector light used for dimmable ceiling fan bulbs, track and recessed lighting, chandelier bulbs, spot lights, and all sizes of standard bulbs. One of the newest bulbs is the Philips L Prize LED with a life span of 20 years; one 10-watt is the equivalent of 30 60-watts!

Though CFLs are whiter, brighter and better than they used to be, they are a temporary solution to energy efficient lighting while engineers fine tune the development of LEDs. This simple comparison chart below from eartheasy.com illustrates the cost and energy savings of the new, energy efficient lighting.

Energy Savings over 50,000 hours, assuming 25 bulbs per household:

                                       LED                        CFL            Incandescent  

Total Cost for 25 bulbs      $2143.75              $2243.75        $8812.50                             

Savings to Household        $6668.75             $6568.75            $0

By switching from incandescents

Note: Cost of electricity will vary. The figures used above are for comparison only, and are not exact.

For more information, visit masssave.com.

National Grid is holding a fun, interactive “celebration this summer to celebrate ENERGY STAR’s 20th Anniversary. They are inviting summer camps and programs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to participate in the program by creating energy efficiency-themed “gifts” (in the form of projects) to celebrate the spirit of ENERGY STAR.  Visit http://www.nationalgridcelebrates.com/ for more information.

Information compiled from masssave.com and eartheasy.com

For more green tips, visit greenwithbetsy.com.