 Home : ENERGY STAR Pledge
Take little steps, such as upgrading your lighting to
ENERGY STAR compact fluorescents (CFLs), using power
strips on seldom used electronics products and upgrading
holiday lighting to energy-efficient LED lights, and generate big savings.
Join Us!
Pledge to make these energy saving actions a habit
in your home and help to save energy, the environment, and the world!
Get Involved!
Get your organization involved by becoming a Pledge
Driver!
Find retailers carrying energy
efficient products!
View more ways to save!
Switching to energy-efficient lighting
is one little step that leads to big savings. ENERGY STAR
qualified compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are available in different sizes and
shapes including mini-spiral, spiral and A-line. They use 75 percent less energy,
last up to 10 times longer, and fit in almost any fixture.
If all the households in New York took the
ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World Pledge and changed
just one light bulb to an ENERGY STAR CFL, New York could prevent nearly 562
million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, save up to 365 million kilowatt-hours
of electricity and reduce household electrical bills by approximately $56 million annually!
What is ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World?
The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign is a national
call-to-action from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) to encourage every individual to help change the world, one light—one
energy-saving step—at a time.
What is the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge?
The ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge is a way for individuals to commit to
being more energy efficient by switching at least one light in their homes to an
ENERGY STAR qualified one.
What is Pledge Plus?
Whether it is committing to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances or
committing to unplug home electronics while not in use, Pledge Plus
is a way for New Yorkers to take additional steps at home that add up to greater
energy and environmental savings.
What is a Pledge Driver?
Becoming a Pledge Driver
means you are making a public commitment to invite your community or organization to
take the pledge. You can commit to driving people to our web site to take the pledge
by by posting information and a link to the pledge on your web site. Your group can
be an important part of this show of strength and commitment by completing the
Pledge Driver commitment
form.
Why should I use ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products?
An ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb or fixture can save about $30 or more in
electricity costs and prevent more than 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over
its lifetime, an equivalent of keeping nearly 200 pounds of coal from being burned.
How can I get the most energy savings with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting?
Replace bulbs or fixtures where lights are typically left on the longest, such
as the family room and living room, kitchen, dining room, and porch. Place bulbs
in open fixtures that allow air flow and, if replacing a bulb operating on a
dimmer switch, look for bulbs specifically designed for this use.
Where can I find retailers that sell ENERGY STAR lighting products?
Do CFLs contain mercury?
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing –
an average of 5 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would
cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are
intact or in use. By comparison, CFLs contain about 1/100th of the mercury that
older thermometers contain.
How do I dispose of my CFL?
Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they should be disposed of
responsibly; ideally recycled. The U.S. EPA recommends that consumers take
advantage of local recycling options, where available. For help finding a local
facility, visit www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling,
www.lamprecycle.org or
www.earth911.org.
Effectively managing your power consumption is another little step that leads to
big savings. Did you know that 75% of all electricity used to power home
electronics is consumed while the products are turned off? This waste energy is
commonly referred to as “Vampire, Ghost, Phantom, and/or Pirate” load and in most
cases, this waste of energy is avoidable.
Power management requires you develop some simple habits. New Yorkers can combat
waste energy by using power strips, unplugging electronic device chargers, and
using the power or energy saving mode of electronics when available.
Why is power management important?
Home electronics use up to 40 percent of their electricity when they are actually
turned off. Many people don’t realize that they can save energy and money by
unplugging TVs, CD players, computers, DVD players and other products that aren’t
used every day.
How can I effectively manage my electronics products?
Where can I find power management features on computers and monitors?
Are there home electronics that use less power than others?
Yes. ENERGY STAR® qualified home electronics can use up to 50 percent less power
than those that do not have the ENERGY STAR and they are environmentally friendly
because they cut down on the amount of fossil fuels used to provide electricity,
resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gases.
Where can I find retailers that sell ENERGY STAR consumer electronics products?
How can I defeat the “energy pirates” in my home? (Note: Interactive Macromedia Flash Game)
Upgrading your holiday lighting to energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED)
holiday lighting is another little step that leads to big savings. Did you know
that energy efficient LED holiday lighting uses 90% less energy than standard
holiday lighting strands? LED holiday lighting is durable and produces almost no
heat greatly reducing the risk of fire.
Imagine the energy savings when using LED holiday lighting not only in your home,
but on decorations in your towns and meeting places. The average home decorated
with LED holiday lighting strands will save up to $100 over the course of the
holiday season. Imagine how much energy your town can save? Urge your town
representatives to use LED holiday lighting in decorations and displays when
applicable.
How can I decorate my home for the holidays and still cut down on my energy costs?
Try energy efficient holiday lighting that comes in a variety of festive styles
and colors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optic lights, candelabra compact
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and rope lights use substantially less energy than
standard holiday lighting.
What are LED holiday lights?
LED holiday lights are constructed from solid-state chips that convert
electricity into light without using a filament or glass bulb.
What are the benefits of using fiber optic lighting?
Fiber optic lighting is extremely economical and energy efficient. These lights
are cool to the touch since light is transmitted from the fiber, not heat. Fiber
optic cabling allows lighting access to locations that may otherwise be difficult
to light such as paths, trees, decks, patios and vaulted ceilings.
What are the benefits of using candelabra CFLs?
Candelabra CFLs are a great energy-saving option for candlesticks and menorahs,
using about 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs while
producing the same lumens. With a typical 8,000-hour life, candelabras generally
last 10 times longer than the average incandescent bulb and come in a variety of
styles and wattages.
What are the benefits of using rope lighting?
Rope lighting is composed of miniature incandescent lights spaced about an inch
apart and enclosed in a half-inch diameter flexible plastic tubing. The tiny
bulbs use approximately 0.5 watts of power per foot, and are rated to last more
than 20,000 hours. Available in multiple colors, rope lights are suitable for
indoor and outdoor use and are ideal for decorating trees or for outlining doors
and windows.
Where can I find retailers that sell energy efficient holiday lighting products?
Pledge now to do
your part in saving energy, the environment, and the world!
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