Big Green Purse
Free Light Bulbs This Sunday! 
April 22, 2007
 

home depot eco options program

 

I know I've written to you about light bulbs before. But here's a bargain I didn't want you to miss. In honor of Earth Day, Home Depot is kicking off its new Eco Options label this Sunday, April 22 by giving away a million free compact fluorescents.

 

The N:Vision bulbs normally cost $7.99. But they could save you $20-$30 on your electricity bill over the life of the bulb. Where do the benefits come from?

 

Compact fluorescents last ten times as long and use 75% LESS energy than a regular incandescent.

 

That makes them a big green bargain. Other benefits?


  • They help improve air quality and reduce asthma rates, since utilities need to burn less energy (think coal-fired power plants) to power the light.
  • They save time. You can install a CFL and not have to worry about changing that light bulb again for years.
  • Because they use so little energy, they're a great way to reduce global warming.

 

mom and son  CFLS have it all: money and time savings, health benefits, a global warming solution, and energy-efficiency, too.

 

If you've been reluctant to try CFLs because you thought they were too expensive, now's your chance to get one for free. (Be prepared: some of them have a very short delay between the time you turn them on and when they actually light up. That's part of what makes them energy-efficient!)

 

WHERE NOT TO USE CFLs:

  • outside when temperatures are cold
  • in dimmer switches
  • on timers 

To dispose of a CFL:

 

Compact fluorescents contain minuscule amounts of mercury (5 mlg, compared to the 500 mlg in a home thermometer). Check with your local waste management agency for recycling options and disposal guidelines in your community. Some recommend the bulb be disposed with hazardous waste. Others want it sealed in a plastic baggie and thrown in the regular trash. Best option: Recycle the bulb with www.lamprecycle.org. Some IKEA stores take back used CFLs, too.

 

If a CFL breaks, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends sweeping up (not vacuuming) the broken glass and loose material; mopping up the remnants with a damp paper cloth that you can dispose of in a sealed plastic bag; and ventilating the room.

 

picture of Diane MacEachern     Let me know how you like your CFLs. Give yourself one-to-three months to get used to them. By that time, you may notice a change in your energy bill, too. Meanwhile, if I come across any other great bargains, I'll be sure to send them your way.
 
Sincerely,

Diane MacEachern
Big Green Purse
 
P.S. This has not been a paid promotion.