All about the Squigglies

2008-02-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

If you've paid any attention to energy costs lately, you've noticed that they're getting bigger! Agh! Get it off me!

And along with this news I'm sure that you've heard of the Squigglies. They're also called Compact Florescent Light Bulbs, or CFL's for short. I prefer the Squigglies, frankly because it is more fun to say.

So, my question to you is: Does going green by buying these more expensive bulbs really save you any green?

The Energy Star program (I'm sure you've seen their sticker all over Lowe's and computer stores) was founded back in 1992 by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Their goal is to promote the use and sale of energy efficient consumer products. I mention this only to point out this table they provide on their website about CLF's.

From this power usage chart we're looking pretty good! I'm seeing promise! Using one-third of the power should result in using that much less energy cost per unit, right? Well let's find out!

Ok, so you're standing at the store staring at the different light bulbs they've got for sale. On your left you've got the standard incandescent light bulbs that you've always used. The price works out to be 50 cents per unit. On your right you've got these brand spankin' new compact florescents - squigglies! Cool! But wait, $3.00 per bulb??!? Who would pay that? It's 6 times more expensive!!! So you grab the bulbs you've always taken before.

Then you remember that you read this awesome article about Squigglies by this guy who has a blog. You remember that he explained in that article that those incandescent bulbs have a life of approx. 1,000 hours of use, compared to the Squigglies that can last for 10,000 hours!!

You look again at the bulb in your hand and look at the energy consumption and notice that it's rated at 75 watts. You get a bit smarter and go back to compare the Squigglie - hmm... 20 watts... You do some quick math in your head and figure that over the life of one Squigglie (10,000 hrs.), the incandescent bulb would consume a total of 750 kilowatt-hours compared to 250 for the Squigglie...

Ok, we're getting a bit closer now! You assume an average cost of electricity of $0.105 per kilowatt-hour, and you quickly realize that the incandescent bulb you hold in your hand will cost you $78.75 based on the life of one CFL, whereas the Squigglie would cost you only $23.25.

Hmm... you think some more... You would need 10 incandescent bulbs to equal the live of just one Squigglie. There's an extra five dollar bill. So, total cost of using incandescent bulbs compared to just one Squigglie is (drum roll......) $83.75! and the Squigglie? A mere $26.25.

By now, you're on your way to the check out stand feeling $57.50 richer. You take great confidence in knowing that you can tell all your friends how easy it is to save some green, just by changing ONE light bulb! Congratulations, my friend. You have made the right choice. Not only does your bank account feel happier, you've made a tree smile!!

What is Green Building?

2007-10-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

Green Building. What is it? "Oh, isn't that where you have a garden and plants and it's all inside this little room with lots of windows," asked a woman from my church as I explained that I am interested in green building. With a bit of a laugh I calmly explained what I meant.

This is often the type of response I get when I explain that this is what I am interested in - what I want to do with my life. As a step to help get the word out concerning the wonders and amazing developments in eco-friendly building, I have decided to start writing articles on the subject. I will discuss products, building systems, and methods of construction that have a minimal negative effect on our environment. I hope to be able to interact with my readers through feedback and comments so that we can learn together.

With that said, let's look together at what Green Building is. Wikipedia is an awesome source for finding general and specific information on just about anything imaginable. I turn to them to give a brief description of what is meant by Green Building. The site describes that:

"Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings and their use of energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle."

The term Green Building, or Sustainable Construction, implies a vast array of practices and methods to reduce and hopefully ultimately eliminate the impacts of buildings (residential, commercial and industrial) on the environment. With the rising frequency of awareness concerned with helping and saving the planet upon which we live it is becoming more and more popular to find alternate ways of living in order to reduce our effect on the environment. In Boy Scouting boys are taught that when they go camping they are to leave little or no impact to the camp site - to leave it in better condition than they found it. It is my goal that I can live my life leaving as little an environmental footprint as possible. I know that we all can have this as an actual attainable goal in our lives, while still enjoying everything that we wish to have.

In subsequent articles I will discuss the need for sustainable design and methods as well as cost differences and I will soon be able to provide you with information concerning building products, methods and systems that are included within the realm of green building. I hope you have enjoyed this simple explanation and introduction, and I look forward to input and comments!

Green Building Products

All about the Squigglies

What is Green Building?