
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994                   TAG: 9405090170
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY KEN SHEINKOPF ORLANDO SENTINEL
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EFFICIENT BULBS SHINE AS ENERGY-SAVERS

Q. I understand that energy-efficient light bulbs last longer and pay for themselves over time in energy savings. But will my energy bill actually be any lower if I use them?

A. You will save money in several ways if you use some of the new efficient lighting alternatives such as compact fluorescent bulbs.

First, you will save on lower energy use. If you take four standard 75-watt incandescent bulbs that are used about four hours per day and replace them with compact fluorescent, you'll save about 330 kilowatt hours per year for lighting costs - about $27 at current electric rates. So you'll save a modest amount of energy and money every month by using less electricity to produce the same amount of light you had before.

In addition, you will start getting more savings in the warm weather because the more efficient bulbs give off less heat; thus, your air conditioner will run less, producing even further energy savings on your power bill.

As a general rule, figure that each watt saved in a bulb that is used for four hours per day will save about .23 kwh per year in lower air-conditioning costs. Every time you replace an incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb, you'll save on additional 13.1 kwh in air-conditioning energy.

These may not seem to be very big savings, but remember they will add up over the years. Also, because compact fluorescent last longer, you'll need to replace bulbs less frequently.

You're also helping the environment by using the efficient bulbs. It has been estimated that a 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb will keep a half-ton of carbon dioxide and 20 pounds of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides out of the air. These are the pollutants that cause the greenhouse effect, acid rain and other types of air pollution.

Ken Sheinkopf of the Florida Solar Energy Center will answer questions about energy conservation and home comfort. Write to him in care of The Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Box 211, Orlando, Fla. 32802-0211.

by CNB