Energy Reviews the Top LED Replacement Bulbs

Ambit Energy anticipates more and more homeowners will switch to LED light bulbs as prices start to drop, making them more affordable. Due to the rising popularity of LED bulbs, Ambit Energy has compiled the accompanying list of the top LED replacement bulbs to help you compare such factors as efficiency, lifespan, warranty and more.

According to recent reports, the number of Americans buying LED bulbs has doubled in the last two years, to around 66 percent. LEDs are prized for their energy efficiency, brightness and longevity. We have previously covered helpful tips on how to pick the best light bulb to increase energy efficiency for your home, which you can continue to use as a resource.

Ambit Energy hopes the reviews of LED replacement bulbs below will give you a better understanding of the product options available.

Cree’s 60W Replacement LED

• Price: less than $10
• Lifespan: 25,000 hours (or 22.8 years based on 3 hours of use per day)
• Estimated yearly energy cost: $1.32 (based on 3 hrs. per day, 11 kWh)
• Warranty: 10 years
• Lumens per watt (efficiency): 79
• Cree’s original LED bulb remains a popular choice since its debut in 2013. CNET has praised the bulb for its satisfactory performance, superior efficiency and warranty. Overall, this bulb packs much value at an affordable price.

Philips 60W Replacement Bulb

• Price: $5
• Lifespan: 25,000 hours (or 22.8 years)
• Estimated yearly energy cost: $1.02 (based on 3 hrs. per day, 11 kWh)
• Warranty: 3 years
• Lumens per watt (efficiency): 79
• This bulb arrived in May 2015 with much fanfare because of its low cost. Consumers can purchase the bulb for as little as $5 at major home improvement stores. CNET noted its exceptional efficiency and excellent light quality. The only downsides are that the LED bulb isn’t dimmable and its lifespan isn’t as long as its competitors.

GE BrightStik

• Price: $10 for a three-pack
• Lifespan: 15,000 hours (or 13.7 years based on 3 hours of use per day)
• Estimated yearly energy cost: $1.20 (based on 3 hrs. per day, 11 kWh)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Lumens per watt (efficiency): 79
• This budget-friendly LED is excellent for standard household lighting. But the bulb isn’t as bright as other LEDs. The product’s five-year warranty is “one of the best you’ll find at this price point,” according to CNET.

EcoSmart 13-Watt (60W) LED A19

• Price:  $25
• Lifespan: 25,000 hours (about 23 years)
• Lumens per watt (efficiency): 71
• Estimated yearly energy cost: $1.57 (based on 3 hrs/day, 11/kWh.)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Good Housekeeping praised the EcoSmart product, noting that consumers enjoyed its brightness and how it cast light evenly. The bulb can replace an A19 or 60-watt bulb. The EcoSmart bulb is dimmable, which can help conserve energy over its lifespan.

Back to the Spark →

Maryland group aims to connect green consumers, businesses

Maryland group aims to connect green consumers, businesses

In Carroll County, Maryland, a small environmental group has developed a new program that hopes to bring togetherbusinesses focused on sustainability and consumers who are equally aware, the Carroll County Times reports.
According to the news source, the initiative is the culmination of hard work done by a newly formed committee made up of members from Waste Not! Carroll, Sustainable Living Maryland and the Catoctin chapter of the Sierra Club. Sally Long, a committee member, stated that the program was based on a similar one that is already functioning in North Carolina. Committee member Don West originally proposed the idea, saying it would be a great way for the Green Business Network in Carroll County to help eco-savvy consumers buy products from green companies.
The program uses a scorecard to rate businesses in the area on their green status, which is then released on the groups website for all to see.
"The way I see it, all businesses want to be sustainable, otherwise they wouldn't be in business," Long told the media outlet. "We wanted to help businesses recognize that being 'green friendly' could result in financial benefits as well as environmental and community benefits."
A new focus
The scorecard will bring to light four different areas related to environmental progress, which is meant to incentivize companies to adopt a more sustainable business model. These areas include solid waste management, green purchasing tactics, efficient energy consumption and renewable energy and water conservation.
Dan Andrews, another committee member, said any business can fall into one of three tiers that displays their green status, which will be printed onto a decal and displayed at the business.
"We tried to keep phase one of this very practical and pragmatic," Andrews said. "People can begin to learn these methods and these techniques and phase into more sustainable practices over the course."
The media outlet noted that although some committee members expected resistance from local business owners, the majority were supportive of the idea.
"Once they see what we've tried to do, it's been unanimous as far as thinking this is a good idea," West added.
It's becoming much easier for green businesses in America to get off the ground thanks to growing demand for sustainable practices. To help nurture these businesses, South by Southwest has launched its Eco Startup Central, which will help companies devoted to green operations find their footing.

To Go Green click Here 

How Do Wind Turbines Work?

How Do Wind Turbines Work?
Wind is a form of solar energy and is a result of the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and the rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns and speeds vary greatly across the United States and are modified by bodies of water, vegetation, and differences in terrain. Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity.

                                     Read More

Sustainability changes for every organization

Sustainability changes for every organization

Climate and sustainability expert Bob Doppelt wrote a recent article published in Business Review USA, in which he offered up six changes that he said every organization is capable of making to cost-effectively reach sustainability.
Doppelt noted the need to revise the classic "more and cheaper is better" approach to business, offering up an alternative mantra for personal happiness and economic success, saying, "sustainable is better, healthier, morally just - and essential to sustain life on the planet."
Doppelt's six cost-effective changes for sustainability begin with his recommendation for businesses to complete a Life Cycle Analysis to fully explore the effects the company's goods and services have on the environment and society. Then, Doppelt advised undertaking an analysis of the company's carbon footprint for all production facilities, and to simultaneously perform an energy audit. These beginning steps are key for helping companies inexpensively discover where there is room for improvement and new ways to save money.
The next change Doppelt offered up was to hold a company-wide dialogue with the goal to establish clear ethics to help manage the company's activities around sustaining the natural environment.
Fourth on Doppelt's list is arguably his boldest suggestion, telling companies to set an ambitious target - something similar to either increasing efficiency or reducing energy use by 30 percent - in an effort to show commitment to the company's initiatives.
The fifth change is to have the company establish a plan to reduce its use of coal across its value chain, completely eliminating coal use in a period of five to 10 years. Doppelt maintains that this is achievable by transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind or solar while simultaneously working to increase energy efficiency.
Doppelt's final change involves setting yet another ambitious goal, this time to reduce company waste that goes to landfills through the gradual building up of recycling and reuse at facilities.
Once organizations have gone through Doppelt's six changes, he advises them to then continue approaching goals like these in a similar fashion until they have gone through the company's entire value chain.
Today, companies around the globe recognize the necessity to restructure their sustainability efforts, residential households are making individual efforts to do their parts, and entire cities are taking on the sustainability challenge. For example, a recent article in Peoria new source the Peoria Times described how that city developed a sustainability initiative in 2009 in an effort to counter financial hardships and have "positive, lasting effects" on Peoria's future.

Learn more about energy news here