1. Lighting And Appliances

2. Lighting With FLiP the Switch
Lighting professionals have improved the original Incandescent bulb
Hi, I’m FLiP the Switch and I’m here to talk with you about lighting and appliances. Whenever you are choosing lighting or appliances, look for the Energy Star label. They are certified by the US EPA to meet energy efficiency requirements. Let’s start with lighting. The lighting professionals have done a great job improving on the original Incandescent bulb.
As you ready to investigate the bulbs used in your school and home,? I will help you learn the benefits and uses of each. You will also want to know what each looks like.

3. 3 Types Of Lighting Incandescent Fluorescent
LED (Light Emitting Diodes)
. There are 3 types of lights you might find in your classrooms, school office and homes. We’ll talk about the gym and outside lighting later.
Within the majority of your school you may see incandescent, fluorescent and LED. Note the unusual spelling of fluorescent – the U comes before the O.

4. Incandescent
A glass envelope encloses a filament of coiled tungsten wire that glows when an electric current passes through
Inexpensive
Generates heat
Only up to 10% of the electricity is converted into light
Doesn’t last very long
Incandescent lamps are the first light bulbs invented. A glass envelope encloses a filament of coiled tungsten wire that glows when an electric current is passed through it. While incandescent lamps are inexpensive they have problems. They generate a lot of heat and up to 10% of the electricity is converted into light. Also they don’t last very long. The US has stopped making incandescent lamps because they are not efficient. So, at some point, they will no longer be available. If you find Incandescent bulbs in your school – or home – be aware there are more efficient options.

5. Halogen Bulbs Are Incandescent
Halogen also called quartz Can be a fire hazard
By the way, Halogen bulbs are part of the Incandescent family. Halogen bulbs are sometimes called quartz. While they last longer than typical incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps can get extremely hot creating a fire hazard. Many landlords do not allow these lamps in residential spaces.

6. Fluorescent Can be shaped in tubes like in our classroom.
Electricity provides heat that causes low pressure mercury vapor within the lamp to produce ultraviolet radiation. This causes a phosphor coating along the inside of the tube to radiate light.
 3 sizes - the smaller the size, the more efficient
T12 (40 watts)
T8 (32 watts)
T5 (21 watts)
Fluorescent bulbs can be tubes like in your classroom. Electricity provides heat that causes low pressure mercury vapor within the lamp to produce ultraviolet radiation. This causes a phosphor coating along the inside of the tube to radiate light.
The thinner the tube, the more efficient it is. You can ask your janitors to look at the fluorescent tubes in the supply closet to see what size your school is using. It’s a lot easier than trying to look at the bulbs on the ceiling.
Fluorescent lamps come in 3 sizes - the smaller the size, the more efficient they are. They are called T12 (40 watts), the more efficient T8 (34 watts) and the most efficient T5 (21 watts).
The “T” stands for tubular which describes the shape of the lamp. The number (12, 8 or 5) gives the diameter.

7. Compact Fluorescent (CFLs) are often called the curly bulbs
Less expensive to operate
Last longer
Contain a small amount of mercury
Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are those curly light bulbs that you may have in your home. Some have the curly part inside a casing like the bottom picture. This makes it possible to use with clip on lamp shades. CFLs are less expensive to operate and last longer than incandescent (up to 24,000 hours for some). Some people do not like the color they produce, others complain they are not as bright as incandescent lamps. CFLs take some time to get to their full brightness. They also contain a small amount of mercury.
Today’s CFLs can often be used outside and some are dimmable.

8. Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
Electricity passes through a semiconductor material illuminating the tiny light sources we call LEDs.
Cool to the touch
Extremely efficient
Last a long time
Instant on
Don’t contain mercury
LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lamps are different from both incandescent and fluorescent lamps. They are an amazing advancement in lighting. Electricity passes through a semiconductor material illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs. They are cool to the touch, are extremely efficient and last a long time. Also, LEDs are instant on and don’t contain mercury. The inventor of LED - Nick Holonyak - was born in IL and is a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. You may have seen LEDs in holiday lights, rope lighting and a variety of bulbs for your home. They are available in dimmable bulbs and are a great choice for recessed can lights. Those are the lights that are in a hollow opening in the ceiling.

9. FLiP the Switch
It’s not just about your choice of bulbs, it’s also how you use them so FLiP the Switch when lighting isn’t needed.
It’s important to choose the most efficient bulb for the job. It’s also important to use your lighting wisely. If it’s a sunny day or if no one will be in a room, FLiP the Switch for savings. You might also look into controls for your lights. They’re smart enough to turn off the lights when no one is in the room.

10. Exit Signs Must be on 24 hours a day / 7 days a week LED
Photoluminescent
Before we leave lighting, let’s talk about some special lighting needs such as exit signs, the gym and outside. lighting. Exit signs offer great opportunities to save energy because they have to be on all the time. Some are still using incandescent bulbs. According to US DOE, each one can cost $28 a year to operate. How many Exit lights are in your school? Changing them to LEDs will save quite a bit of money. There are also a Photoluminescent exit sign that use no energy at all. Photoluminescent has to be exposed to light each day in order to work so where they are placed is important.

11. Gym Lighting
High-Intensity Discharge Lamps: Mercury Vapor Metal Halide High-Pressure Sodium High Bay Lighting: Fluorescent LED
Gyms need more light than classrooms and the ceiling is much higher. You may find your gym has a version of high-Intensity Discharge Lamps such as Mercy Vapor, Metal Halide or High-Pressure Sodium. There are more efficient lighting choices available including Fluorescent and LED. In addition to saving your school money, the lighting quality is better and, in the case of LED, they are instant on.

12. Outside Lighting
High-Intensity Discharge Lamps – Metal Halide LED – more efficient
Don’t forget about your outside lighting. At school you might find High-Intensity Discharge Lamps like Metal Halide. These are likely older and can be replaced with the more efficient LEDs. At home, you have the choice of CFL’s or LED. LED will be more efficient and will operate better in our colder climate.

13. Equipment
How can you reduce energy usage by your school and your home’s equipment?
Now let’s talk about equipment. Equipment such as computers, refrigerators, copiers, kitchen equipment and shop equipment use a large amount of electricity in a year. Your job is to determine ways to reduce the energy used by the equipment at school and at home.

14. Choose Wisely
Look for the ENERGY STAR label Read and compare the Energy Guide label Keep it cleaned and oiled
When it’s time to replace equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Also, read the Energy Guide label. Much like the mileage sticker on cars, this will show you how much energy the equipment is likely to use annually. You can use this to compare before making a purchase. Finally, be sure that vents are kept clean, motors are oiled and air can circulate.

15. Take Care Of Equipment
Watch for things that make heat Keep it clean and oiled
A good rule of thumb is – things that make heat use the most energy. This includes hair dryers and curling irons. Equipment that has fans and motors should be kept clean so air can move freely around the fan. This includes vacuuming refrigerator coils, changing furnace filters and cleaning the fans on computers. Motors should be kept oiled so the fan can move freely.

16. Vampires Some equipment uses energy even when you think it’s off
Turn it off completely with a power strip
Some appliances continue to draw energy even when they are turned off. These are known as energy vampires. These vampires can include televisions, appliances with a clock, and small appliances like electric toothbrushes and cell phones. Plasma televisions are the biggest culprit. Energy vampires cost Americans $10 billion each year and account for 11 percent of energy use.
Energy vampires can be slain with a simple power strip. Plug the appliance into a power strip and when it is time to turn it off, turn it off completely by flipping the switch on the power strip.

17. You Have The Power! www.EnergyStewards.net/StudentPower
Now that you’ve learned about lighting and equipment, you’ll be better able to help your school and your family save energy. Remember to contact Student Power through the project website whenever you have questions or we can be of help.