Using efficient, modern light bulbs will save you money and help environment

Toronto has a population of almost 2.5 million people. GTA is double that size. If every home owner in Toronto replaced at least some of the incadescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent ones, it would make a big difference in out energy use.

There has been an outcry in the media about the announced ban on incadescent bulbs coming into effect in 2012. The argument is that the compact fluorescent light bulbs are unsightly, and provide unflattering, cold light. I agree with this opinion when talking about the stereotypical twisty tube bulbs. Yes, they are ugly. Yes, the light they provide is cold and unflattering. And, of course, they take time to heat up and achieve their full power. But there have been changes and new development in the lighting industry, and new products are available, much better than the standard twisty tube bulb we have come to hate. And they use approximately a quarter of the energy necessary to create the same amount of light.

It was recently mentioned in a TV program that less than 10% of energy used by incadescent light bulbs is directed towards creating light. Majority of the remaining energy creates heat.

Many new models of compact fluorescent lights are now available, with smooth casings hiding the tubes, and with tinted casting to warm-up the light they produce. Their shapes vary, and they would be hard to distinguish from the traditional bulbs, even in the most decorative chandelier. I recently purchased a 7-watt bulb from Ikea, to use in a light fixture in my lower hall. That light fixture stays on for many hours, and the 7-watt bulb was perfect for the stained glass fixture I made some years ago. I found that the light is pleasant, and the light bulb looks really good in this fixture (see photos).

Home owners can find new light bulbs at Home Hardware stores, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and Ikea. To establish the appropriate bulb for your need, it is best to check the lumen rating. The following is lumen rating table for the incadescent light bulbs:

Incadescent Bulbs:

Watts	Lumens
40	450
60	800
75	1,100
100	1,600
150	2,600

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are considerably more expensive than the incadescent bulbs, but they provide good savings on energy costs, and have long life span - much longer than traditional incadescent bulbs. Besides using less energy to create the same intensity of light, they don't heat up like the incadescent or halogen bulbs, thereby saving on air conditioning costs in the summer. And Sylvana just developed one that can be used with a dimmer switch.

Other option is to use LED light bulbs and fixtures. There is a number of styles available as well, but they are more expensive, and I haven't seen one strong enough for a single ceiling light fixture. I am sure, though, that more choice and better prices are coming in the near future.