CFLs
Sugar Editorial Picks
Casa Verde: A CFL That Looks (and Lights) Like an Incandescent
I've been pushing you to try CFLs for a long time, but I know that some of you are hesitant to do so given their look, as well as some conceptions about their light quality. While the light quality has definitely improved across the board, the funky spiral shape still turns some of you off. If that's the case, you'll be happy to hear that several of the bulbs in the GE Energy Smart line are now masquerading as incandescents.
Casa Verde: Keeping Safe With CFLs
The Sierra Club recently updated its website with some very helpful green tips, and there are some fantastic suggestions for going green at home. One tip that caught my eye was the safety considerations when disposing of CFLs. Since switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs is a great way to save energy and money, I heartily recommend making the switch (as does the Sierra Club).
Cool Idea: Fluorescent Fixer
I've urged you to switch over to CFLs enough, so I'm not gonna go there. But I will admit that I agree the soft-serve-like shape of CFL bulbs is less than desirable — unless you have an ice cream cone pendant light to go with. But, what if CFLs looked like the standard bulbs you've come to know and love?
Casa Verde: Halloween CFLs
Whether or not you went for my classy Halloween décor picks, you can still spook the neighbors with the glow of these orange and black CFLs that I spotted on TreeHugger. If you still haven't been convinced about the green goodness of CFLs, check out our reasons to make the switch from incandescent bulbs. Then switch your spook on.
Casa Verde: More Reasons to Use CFLs
Compact flourescent lightbulbs (CFLs) have gotten a bad rap for years, and granted, they had really poor light quality in the past. But the new generation of CFLs have consistently proven themselves to be great for indoor home lighting—in fact, a recent study showed that study participants preferred the light quality from the CFL fixtures, and that they registered better across color spectrums as well!
The n:vision soft white CFL scored particularly high with an overall "A" score on the test.
Other Search Results
Casa Verde: Times Square Ball Lit by LEDs
This year, when the Times Square Ball drops at 11:59 p.m. on New Year's Eve, it will be bigger than ever, at double the size of any other Ball in history, and nearly 12,000 pounds heavy. However, this ball, which is lit up by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs, is also decidedly green: It only uses as much energy as two household ovens.
Before and After: An Eco-Oriented Bathroom Remodel
New Jersey residents Mark and Linda Beckelmen decided that it was high time to renovate the bathroom in their 1929 craftsman.They wanted to stick to a reasonable budget, and upgrade the bathroom with green features. As it stood, their bathroom was dated by laminate and wallpaper that needed to go elsewhere — stat.
To see how the couple updated their bathroom, read more
Ask an Expert: Cheap and Easy Home Improvement Projects
In October, I asked Lou Manfredini (better known as "Ace Hardware’s Helpful Hardware Man") to give CasaSugar tips on keeping your homes cozy and efficient during the Winter months. Lou had such great advice that I asked him if he could answer some other reader-inspired questions about home fixes and improvements. Check out his answers!
Casa Verde: Switch to Compact Fluorescent Lights
Swapping out your incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lights is one of the easiest eco-friendly changes you can make at home. Though CFLs have a higher price tag than regular light bulbs, they offer extraordinary savings in the long run, both for your pocketbook and the environment. (Find out exactly how much with this Get Green Savings Calculator.)
So what are you waiting for?
Cool Idea: Light Bulb Candle Holders
The New York Times article "Thinking Like a Student" takes a look at the thrifty, creative home-design moves college students, particularly architecture students, are making during these difficult economic times to make their homes a better place, aesthetically and functionally.
Along with the article is a wonderful slideshow showcasing many of these "on the cheap" tricks. One of my favorites was a set of candle holders fashioned from recycled light bulbs by Lauren Chapman, a student at Yale School of Architecture.