Lighting. Do you take it for granted? When I was plugged into the grid I did, but off-grid living caused a fast and absolute appreciation of lighting —especially electric lighting, because it’s BRIGHT and brightness is a beautiful thing —and such a luxury!
Direct involvement in the creation of a reliable household energy system makes it pretty clear pretty fast that energy is a precious thing. The design of a solar array (solar electric system) is centered on expected usage and every watt is taken into consideration. The more use anticipated, the larger the system and the higher the cost. Minimizing usage simplifies the system and decreases costs. Essentially, it comes down to how many watts do you need/can you afford?
The new Phililps L-Prize bulb has caught my attention for the following reasons:
- Winner and only contestant of the Department of Energy’s $10 million Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition.
- 30,000 hours rated average life
- 940 lumens
- 10 watts (60 watt equivalent)
- 83% more efficient than conventional 60 watt incandescent bulbs
- 360 degree light distribution
- Dimmable
- Has no glass components
- Has 2700 Kelvin color temperature, (i.e. similar in appearance to the softness of incandescent lighting)
- IT’S MERCURY FREE!
Philips states that if every 60 watt incandescent bulb in the U.S. was replaced with this bulb, the nation would save $3.9 billion in energy costs in one year, which would curb the emission of 20 million metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of removing 4 million cars from our roadways.
Will I buy this bulb? You betcha.
Change comes from within —we find a better way as we learn to live wisely.
Mitakuye Oyasin!
