In my experience, it seems most people compare appliance models based on cost, appearance, and brand. Some individuals consult the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label for estimated operating cost and energy use information. Others research models online through the Energy Star products database.
But there’s a new resource for locating the most energy efficient products on the market: Top Ten USA.
Cree, Inc., manufacturer of the popular LR6 LED downlight, just announced a new light bulb. The company unveiled “the brightest, most-efficient, LED-based A-lamp that can meet Energy Star performance requirements for a 60-watt standard LED replacement bulb.“ Cree attributes the bulb’s performance to TrueWhite technology and a patented remote-phosphor technology.
I’m going to be honest, I hate my CFLs. After blowing all sorts of cash on these things, I’ve yet to find one that performs the way I’d like it to. Plus, since lighting accounts for some 11% of residential energy use on average, it’s an area that deserves attention. In doing so, I’ve been playing with various options and think LEDs may just be the ticket.
Keep an eye out for the next acronym in energy-efficient lighting: ESL, or Electron Stimulated Luminescence. ESLs use “accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb ‘glow,’” according to Vu1 Corporation, a maker of ESLs. The technology is being touted for producing light that’s similar to an incandescent bulb but about 70% more energy-efficient.
GE unveiled a panoply of home technology at CES this week. The company’s taking an aggressive approach with smart green products and may just capture the heart of Americans everywhere. If GE’s vision comes true, here’s some of what will connect the home of the future:
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