Lights
- EERE Consumer's Guide - When to Turn Off Your Lights: Read this U.S. Department of Energy flyer about the cost effectiveness of turning off fluorescent lights.
- Turn off your lights when you leave the office. Help set an example by turning off lights in common areas (copy rooms, break rooms).
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs(CFLs). CFLs are 66% more efficient and last six to ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. They produce 70 percent less heat than standard bulbs and last up to 6,000 hours. If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a CFL, it would prevent as much power plant pollution as removing a million cars from the road. Visit Austin Energy web site for more information. ** All information came from the Austinenergy.com web site.
- Fluorescent bulbs are considered hazardous waste and should not be placed in the trash. They contain small amounts of mercury. If a bulb breaks sweep it up and place in a sealed plastic bag. Take used bulbs to the Hazardous Waste Center.
- Install electronic ballasts because they use 30 percent less electricity than magnetic ballasts.
- Lower the blinds or invest in tinted windows or solar screens for your residence.
- Recycle Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs): You can take your CFLs to local IKEA Store. You may also order a Sylvania Recycle, lamp and ballast recycling kits.
