This article is the first in a list of practical things you can do to save money on your monthly electric bill. Get some new green products, and maybe use the extra money to pay for a little vacation.

Install only compact fluorescent light bulbs

CFL is an abbreviation for a Compact Fluorescent Lamp, which is a fluorescent light bulb with the same form factor as a traditional incandescent bulb (meaning it will fit in most places where you now have plain old light bulbs installed).

CFLs produce light differently than incandescent bulbs. In an incandescent bulb, electricity runs through a wire filament and heats the filament until it starts to glow. In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. This generates invisible ultraviolet light that excites a fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube, which then emits visible light.

Green products do help. When you replace just one incandescent bulb with one of the new Energy Star CFLs, you will use 75% less electricity and save about $30 every year on your electric bill. With the average house having around 10 incandescent bulbs, this would save you $300 a year.

Many of the newer CFLs are available in a wide variety of shades of white light. The color varies from very warm (yellowish) to a bluish white light. This allows you to use the color of the CFL to set the mood of a space or room. Many CFLs come in “warm” colors to match the light of the old incandescent bulbs.

When using the Daylight or bluish bulbs be aware that their light appears harsh to many. People with light sensitivity could be adversely affected. If you notice them squinting or avoiding areas where this light is used, then try using a warmer light.

You will find on most CFL packages a number like 2700K. The K stands for Kelvin or color temperature range the bulb will produce when lit. The lower the number, the warmer (or more yellow) the color. Most Soft White bulbs will produce color in the 3500K-4100K range. Bright white or Daylight bulbs will be found in the 5000K-6500K range. Higher numbers are very blue and harsh.

When you are replacing a 40 watt bulb, use a 9-13 watt CFL; for a 60 watt use a 13-15 watt; for a 75 watt use an 18-25 watt CFL, and for a 100 watt use a 23-30 watt CFL.

Don’t forget that even though a CFL is one of the new green products, it cannot be thrown in the regular trash. In fact some states have laws that forbid this. I am told that a CFL contains about five milligrams of mercury, and should not be put in landfills.

When recycling your old CFL green products, places like ACE Hardware, Orchard (OSH), Home Depot and IKEA will accept and properly dispose of the old CFL bulb.

A host of new green products for outdoors, poolside, garden, and sidewalk lighting are moving to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The new LED bulbs are 90% more efficient than an incandescent bulb. I would recommend using an Energy Star compliant system; you will usually have a longer time between bulb replacements. However, stock up on replacement bulbs – the manufacturers seem to change the design every couple of years, and then it becomes hard to find replacement parts.

Next time will look at some more green products that can further reduce your carbon footprint and save you still more money.

Michael