Man as a creature of nature, is and always has been somewhat nyctophobic (afraid of the dark).  With sight as homo-sapiens prime sensory input, the exclusion of that input promotes the question of "what is lurking out there".  Today we utilize incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs and LED's to dispel the darkness from our lives.  What kind of bulb, the fixture it is mounted in, the kind of power we use to energize the bulb and our own personal habits dictate what our own personal environmental impact we have and just how big our carbon footprint is on our world of Green lighting.

Green lighting Tips

(1)    The Better Green Bulb is Here

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs are often compared in shape to a soft serve ice cream cone.  These quirky little devices use ¼ of the energy of an incandescent bulb to put out the equivalent amount of light.  Additionally CFL's last much longer, a lifetime of 10,000 hours is not unusual for these little wonders.  While the common shape is a spiral, they come in assorted shapes sizes and colors of light.  Initial cost is somewhat higher than an equivalent incandescent bulb however the extended lifetime more than makes up for the cost.  CFL's run cooler, making them safer and reducing your air-conditioning costs in the summer.  Once difficult to find, CFL's are available almost anywhere and as demand increases, costs diminish.  Wal-Mart expects to sell over 100 million CFL's.

(2)    LEDs The Green Light of the Future

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) has been around for an extended period of time.  However these highly efficient and long life devices are just now starting to make inroads on consumer Green lighting.  LEDs for household use are just now starting to become affordable to the consumer.  They still cost more than even CFDs however the extended life and minimal power usage brings them into the range of affordability.   When compared to incandescent bulbs, LEDs reduce energy consumption by 80 - 90% and will last in the neighborhood of 100,000 hours.  Most LED lamps have the bulbs built into them, however the screw in type of bulb is available from several sources.  Desk lamp bulbs are also available from many sources.  Accent Green lighting is available in a rechargeable form utilizing LEDs eliminating the need to run wiring to an accent light.

(3)    The Other Half of the Green Lamp

Whatever bulb you choose to use, it's only going to light if it's put into a fixture to Green lighting it.  Look for lighting fixtures that are created with natural, recycled or reused materials.  Natural materials can contain felt, cloth or wood.  Recycled materials can include metal, glass or recycled plastic.  Reused materials can include old traffic signal lenses, old wooden bowling pins or discarded wine bottles.

(4)    Last Rites of Green lighting

All fluorescent blubs have an extended life span, however when they do reach the end after long and faithful service they have to be disposed of properly.  Fluorescent bulbs all contain some mercury so we must recycle them properly.  Each community has their own rules so check them out before pitching them into the dumpster.  LEDs haven't been out on the market long enough so no set standards have been created as to how to recycle them.

(5)    Power Adapters of Green lighting

Power adapters or "wall warts" are generally associated with video games and rechargeable electronic devices however they are utilized in some lighting fixtures.  These devices are generally always warm to the touch.  This is due to the fact that they constantly draw power whether they are in use or not.  If you unplug them when they are not in use, put them on a Green lighting strip that can be switched off or installed in a power strip that turns it self off when there is no load on it, you'll save money and help keep your eco-footprint to a minimum.

(6)    Let the Sunshine In

The best, cheapest and most efficient source of Green lighting is sunlight.  Open your drapes and blinds.  Let the sunshine in.  That may sound simplistic, however why pay to light your home when the light is available for free?  The most direct sunlight comes from the south, so when designing your home, insure that the majority of the windows are on the south side of the house.  Artists and photographers have long known that the best source of indirect ambient lighting comes from the north.  If you live in the southern hemisphere, the directions are reversed and you want the north side of your home to have the most windows.  If you are renovating your home consider installing skylights.  Sunlight can even be pumped into your home via a fiber optic network or Green lighting channeling device.

(7)    Turn it OFF of Green lighting

You can have the most efficient Green lighting system in the world, but if you never turn it off you are wasting all that power and not helping the environment.  If you aren't going to use the light, turn off the switch.  Some general guidelines for turning lights off are:
?    Standard Incandescent:  If you leave the room for a few seconds
?    Compact Fluorescent:  If you leave the room for 3 minutes
?    Standard Fluorescent:  If you leave the room for 15 minutes

(8)    Take Things into Your Own Hands

If you can't find what you want and decide to create a fixture to meet your needs, you deserve a gold star.  Imagination and innovation are two characteristics of Green lighting people.  Strawbale building pioneer Glen Hunter had an idea for LED fixtures and couldn't find just what he wanted on any market.  He purchased components from Eurolite and created his lighting fixtures.  Eurolite was so impressed with the fixtures and designs that they now market them for him.

(9)    On and Off Automatically of Green lighting

Motion sensors can be installed in fixtures to automatically turn lighting devices on and off automatically.  When you enter the room, the light comes on, when you leave the light goes off.  Additionally dimmers can be installed to provide just the right amount of light needed.  If motion sensors won't work in a particular location consider installing a timer to turn Green lighting on and off at predetermined times.

(10)    Green Power

More and more utilities are offering the option of green power from renewable sources such as wind, solar or geothermal.  Green power generally costs more however the long term advantages for the environment far outweigh the costs.  Check with your local utility company for the green power options that they offer.

The Numbers Game of Green lighting

• 10 percent: The percentage of global electricity saved by switching to entirely efficient lighting systems, according to a report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The carbon dioxide emissions saved by such a switch would dwarf cuts so far achieved by adopting wind and solar power.
• 19 percent: The percentage of global electricity generation taken for Green lighting -- that's more than is produced by hydro or nuclear stations, and about the same that's produced from natural gas."
• 40 percent: the increase in sales in stores with good natural Green lighting. (the Heschong Mahone Group)
• 25-33 percent: The percentage of total requirements to receive a LEED Silver rating, that builders can achieve through the use of daylighting in their design.
• 2.5 million: The number of homes that could be lit from the energy saved if every American replacing one light bulb with an Energy Star rated one; this action would also prevent emissions of greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars."
• 10 percent: The percentage of global electricity saved by switching to entirely efficient lighting systems, according to a report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The carbon dioxide emissions saved by such a switch would dwarf cuts so far achieved by adopting wind and solar power.
• 19 percent: The percentage of global electricity generation taken for Green lighting -- that's more than is produced by hydro or nuclear stations, and about the same that's produced from natural gas."
• 40 percent: the increase in sales in stores with good natural light. (the Heschong Mahone Group)
• 25-33 percent: The percentage of total requirements to receive a LEED Silver rating, that builders can achieve through the use of daylighting in their design.
• 2.5 million: The number of homes that could be lit from the energy saved if every American replacing one light bulb with an Energy Star rated one; this action would also prevent emissions of greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars."

Technical Vocabulary

Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are electronic devices that emit light when voltage is applied to them.  Wikipedia has a full section on what they are and how they work.
Heliodon A device utilized by engineers, designers and architects to simulate the effect of sunlight on the lighting needs of a structure.

Measurement of Green lighting Three characteristics of light can be measured:

o    Brightness is measured in foot candles and lumens
o    Color is expressed in degrees of Kelvin often referred to as Color Temperature
o    Effects      the way light affects colored surfaces is expressed in the Color Rendering Index
Green Daylighting  is the design process that utilizes the maximum use of daytime sunlight.  This process is utilized to enhance business, worker and shopper happiness and to save energy and money.  
Optimization Theory  is the concept of planning your day to take the maximum advantage of the hours of sunlight.  By utilizing this theory, you get the most exposure to the full spectrum light of the sun and it's beneficial effects on your mind and body.