Watch the Wattage

An easy way to increase energy savings is to use fluorescent bulbs when possible. Make sure you are using the correct wattage, and keep your light bulbs clean (dirt absorbs light).

Fun fact: If everyone in Ames replaced five incandescent bulbs with CFLs, 40 million pounds of CO2 could be eliminated from the atmosphere.

Additional Information: 
  • You can save around $65 per year in energy costs by switching your light bulbs from incandescent.
  • Fluorescent bulbs give off 5 times more light and last 10 times as long! Incandescent bulbs are an old technology – about 80% of the energy used to create the light escapes in the form of heat. If you were to replace a quarter of your light bulbs in your house with CFLs, you could save around 50% on your lighting bill.
  • For more info: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/pic/cfl_info.aspx
  • Keep your eyes out on Earth Day! In the past, the Council on Sustainability has handed out free fluorescent light bulbs in front of the library.