Blue Ridge Eco Shop Blog : Archives for March 2008

Mar 5 2008

Demystifying the CFL.

I was recently asked to speak at a church group regarding energy efficient lighting and thought that it would be a great topic to start the Blog. Over the next several Blogs we will discuss energy efficient lighting and the options that are available.

Myth #1 CLF lighting is a very unnatural, unflattering lighting.

I hear this all the time! CFLs are available in multiple colors and wattage’s and each is unique and can be used in different situations. Lighting is very subjective and personal. CFLs come in Soft (warm) and Full Spectrum (white). Many people categorically don’t like CFLs because of the "Blue" glow of the bulb. This is only the case with Full Spectrum CFLs. The second color option is Soft which is a warmer, yellower light. The Soft color is meant to mimic more of the incandescent lighting we are accustomed to. CFLs come in a range of wattage’s as well. From 11 watts, which is equivalent to a 45 watt incandescent, up to 25 watts, which is equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent light bulb. People are surprised all the time that an 11 watt Soft CFL gives off a completely different light than a 20 watt Soft CFL and certainly a different light than an 11 watt Full Spectrum bulb.

It is definitely not a one bulb fits all with CFLs. Your need and your lighting preferences will determine which CFL type and wattage is right for you. For example, in the bathroom, I prefer bright lighting, so I use a 20 or 25 watt Full Spectrum bulb. But in the kitchen I like a warmer look and use Soft bulbs. If you haven’t experimented with different colors and wattage’s in CFL bulbs, you really should try different ones to find the bulb you prefer best.

Mar 10 2008

Disposing of Compact Florescent Light Bulbs

It is surprising to me that many people are not aware that CFLs contain Mercury. CFLs contain a small amount of Mercury gas. The levels of Mercury differ across the Brands, so be sure you know what you are buying. When the CFL is lit, it is actually the gas that illuminates them. The Mercury does not seep out of the bulb, so there are no concerns with Mercury being in the air when the bulbs are lit.

Mercury is hazardous and thus the CFL bulbs need to be disposed of properly. Burned out bulbs should be recycled, and they shouldn’t be thrown in your recycling bin or trash! There is only one place in Charlottesville, that I am aware of, that recycles and disposes the used bulbs, the McIntire Road Recycling Center (http://avenue.org/rswa/mcintire.htm). The Ivy Creak Landfill no longer excepts them and encourages the community to take the bulbs to McIntire which is open throughout the week.

What if my CFL bulb shatters or has a crack in it and won’t light?

This is a great question. As I mentioned above, these bulbs contain Mercury. If the glass is compromised either by a crack or is shattered, you can become exposed to the Mercury. The EPA (www.EPA.gov) says that if a CFL breaks, open windows and/or doors and leave the room for 15 minutes. This allows the gas to disseminate and leave the area. It is important not to inhale the vapors and to get away from the spill. After 15-20 minutes, pick up the glass and wipe down the exposed areas. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards! The bulb can then be disposed of like a non-CFL light bulb since the gas is no longer inside the bulb. The EPA site recommends avoiding vacuuming the glass if possible.

CFLs are highly energy efficient and are a great money and electricity saver, but we all need to be aware of what is contained inside of them. It is important to dispose of them properly so that the gases inside the bulbs do not get into our ground water and waste systems. With McIntire Road Recycling Center now accepting the bulbs, there really isn’t any easier way to dispose of them properly!

Mar 11 2008

LED - No Longer a Bulb of the Future

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are now available for residential usage. You may say: What is an LED and Why should I care? Two very good questions. LEDs provide highly energy efficient lighting. And what’s better, they contain no Mercury!

An LED uses 10xs less energy than an incandescent light bulb and 3xs less energy than a CFL light bulb. Most of the LED residential bulbs range from 1-2 watts/bulb. And they last longer than a CFL. LEDs last up to 50,000 hours where CFLs last up to 10,000 hours.

LEDs use less energy, give off less heat, last longer (about 20 years!) and are 100% dimable. They do not have the limitations that CFL bulbs do. So what’s the catch? The cost. Like all new products yet to be mainstream, an LED bulb is significantly more expensive than an incandescent and still more expensive than a CFL.

The Blue Ridge Eco Shop carries several LED light bulbs and they range in price from $14-$55 per bulb. If looking over the lifespan of the bulb, you will save money, but it is difficult for consumers to swallow the up front costs. These bulbs are new to the market, they were released the past Fall, so as the demand increases, the prices should begin to fall as well, just like CFL pricing has. In the Blue Ridge Eco Shop’s 7 months in business, we’ve seen CFLs drop in price as much as $2/bulb, which of course we have passed on to you.

Over the life of a bulb, including initial cost, an LED light bulb can save you $350. Where a CFL can save you around $40. (Compared to an incandescent bulb - http://www.ccrane.com/)

LED lighting is, in my opinion, the best option on the market for energy efficient lighting.

Mar 20 2008

Heal Your Home!

The next few Blogs I really want to focus on ways to go Green around the home. Some of the statistics are staggering on the chemicals and toxins that are in our everyday lives and the effects they have on us, our children and pets. With simple changes, we can rid our lives of unnecessary chemicals, and you’ll be surprised where some of them are!

"Bring In the Plants"

Did you know that house plants can actually help to eliminate the toxins we bring into the house? Plants such as spider plants and fig trees not only give off clean oxygen, but reduce formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can be found in your furniture cushions and the glues in your hardwood floors! Have English Ivy? English Ivy helps to clean the air from toxins petroleum-based products put in the air. Other good-for-you plants include bamboo palm, lilies (not a good option if pets are in the house), aloe vera, chrysanthemum and Chinese evergreen.

Be cognisant of allergy suffers, placing plants in the bedroom may not be the best option. Air purifiers such as the Healthmate Jr. are also effective ways to clean the air you breath indoors.

Mar 25 2008

Air Fresheners - Not so Fresh!

Did you know that some air fresheners are actually polluting the air around you? Spraying anti-bacterial and synthetic air fresheners into the air is not the way to go! Traditional air fresheners can contain dangerous ingredients such as dichlorbenzene, naphthalene, and even formaldehyde.

Some candles even pollute your indoor air! Many candles contain paraffin wax which releases carcinogenic soot when burned. On top of that, many candles have heavy metals in their wicks, like lead, to make them sturdier!

These "air-fresheners" actually may lead to respiratory problems and cancer.

The solution? After avoiding paraffin candles and synthetic air-fresheners, try beeswax candles with natural cotton wicks. Beeswax actually burns longer, so your candles will have a longer life as well. And if you are in the market for an air freshener, try the air fresheners developed by Earth Friendly Products. They are made with all natural ingredients and essential oils.

Mar 28 2008

Picking the Right Cleaners

Many conventional cleaners are actually dirtying your house with VOCs!

The Problem: Many household cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, harsh acids, and hormone disruptor’s. Cleaners containing bleach and other strong disinfectants may be doing more harm than good.

Traditional cleaners may be linked to: cancer, endocrine disruption, eye, throat, and lung irritation.

The Solution: Use nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners free of synthetic fragrances. It really is an easy solutions. I’ve tried just about every "green" or non-toxic cleaning brand out there. And although not all of them would receive a gold star in my book, I’ve found cleaners that clean just as well as traditional products.

For me, I’ve been extremely happy with the BioKleen line of cleaners. (Which is of course why the Blue Ridge Eco Shop carries their cleaners rather than other major-line green cleaners.) BioKleen has been around for 30+ years. This fact tends to shock many of my customers. The owner of BioKleen has been diligent over the years and receptive to feedback so that he really has perfected the formulas in his cleaners; making laundry and dish soap that sud and a wonderful enzyme product (Bac-Out) that will get any organic stain (food, pet, dirt, etc.) out of furniture, carpet even laundry or around the toilet!

Switching to non-toxic cleaners and getting away from conventional chemicals, especially bleach, makes a difference in the air quality in your home and saves our drinking water and fish from the downstream effects they contribute to!

Blue Ridge Eco Shop

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