Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Offset Carbon Footprints and Energy Bills Simultaneously With Energy-Saving Light Bulbs


Temperatures have severely dropped all across the UK in recent weeks, and after a relatively mild December and Christmas season, the freezing cold weather has started to hit many parts of the country. Snow and ice has hit the roads and a bitter wind is making temperatures dip below freezing more often than many would like. This has the knock-on effect of much more energy being consumed within homes in order to keep them warm and protected from the elements; with energy rates always rising and the environment’s ecological state considered to be deteriorating, many are wondering how they can offset the funds and energy they will spend on keeping their homes heated this winter. One of the best ways to achieve this is by swapping conventional light bulbs for the more modern energy-saving lighting solutions which consume less energy, provide more light and save money in the long run.

Switching to LED lights or other types of energy-saving light bulb is an extremely simple process. Many of the newer bulbs have identical bases to their older counterparts, so they can easily be swapped over without a fuss. There is no need to have extra lighting fixtures fitted, and no need for extraordinary measures in order to accommodate this new technology.

The initial outlay of these bulbs might be considerably more than a traditional bulb, but their significantly longer life-span and lower energy consumption results in much higher savings in the long run, helping to offset those cold winters for years to come. These bulbs can save more than £50.00 in electricity bills over the course of their lifetime, with some savings even estimated at more than £100.00; running costs in general are reduced by 70%. These calculations are for each and every bulb, and so the heating bills will almost pay themselves once the house is lit by energy-saving light bulbs.

The lower level of energy consumption is also desirable for those who wish to ‘go green’, as is common with many who are concerned about the state of the planet. Cutting one’s own carbon footprint is the best way to be pro-active about making this planet more eco-friendly, and using energy-efficient lighting solutions is an important step in this process. The bulbs have a better light quality than their incandescent predecessors, and there appear to be only advantages regarding these bulbs, especially where lighting the home in the cold winter season is concerned.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Friday, 4 January 2013

Energy Saving Light Bulb Disposal: A Guide


Energy saving lighting solutions are becoming more and more prevalent in the homes and businesses of today, as people look to cut energy costs and become more aware of the carbon footprints that their energy consumption leaves behind. The advantages of using these bulbs are seemingly endless; they last for much longer than regular bulbs, they burn brighter, they consume far less energy and they are environmentally-friendly. But with the surge in popularity of these lighting solutions, there also comes the question of how to dispose of these bulbs.

Disposing of energy saving light bulbs properly is vital in the bid to protect the environment, as each one contains an average of five milligrams of mercury. If exposed due to incorrect disposal of these bulbs, this small amount can pollute much larger amounts of air and water. Though the mercury is utterly harmless when encased within the bulb, if the glass is broken and the mercury escapes during the disposal of the bulb, they can pose risks both to the public and to the environment.

When disposing of these types of bulb, it is important to understand that they should only be thrown away into normal bins if there is no other option, and even then, they should be wrapped tightly in plastic bags which are sealed. Alternatively, there are many recycling stations across the UK which handle hazardous materials and understand how to get rid of such items which are potentially harmful.

If one of these energy-saving light bulbs is smashed, it is also important to take the right precautions. All windows should be opened and the room should be completely cleared for at least fifteen minutes. Disposable rubber gloves and stiff cardboard or paper should be used to collect the glass fragments, with adhesive tape used to collect any excess powder. The entire area can be cleaned thoroughly with a wet wipe, and once all of the debris has been collected and cleared, the normal recycling instructions should be followed.

The great advantage of using energy saving LED bulbs is that they will often last for decades, or even lifetimes, and will rarely burn out or need to be replaced, minimising the amount of times these procedures will need to be carried out. But with the energy saving bulb becoming more and more common, it is important that the general public understand how to correctly dispose of their waste lighting solutions, as well as clear up any breakages which may occur as a result of an accident.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com