Tip Energy

[David Hogan]

Choosing the Right Light for the Right Room - As of January 1, 100 watt light bulbs must be much more efficient due to the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. The efficiency requirements progress to lower wattage bulbs in future years. Their options available include halogen, compact fluorescent Lights (CFLs), and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The right light for you comes from balancing price, brightness, color, longevity, and energy consumption. This New Your Times article, tinyurl.com/BulbChoice, reviews your options. Check out the chart links in the left margin.
    Using less electricity not only reduces your electric bill but avoids pollution from energy not produced because it’s not needed. Currently, about 85% of Austin Energy’s production is from burning fossil fuels.
    If you want to help accelerate use of renewable resources and the renewable energy industry in Texas you can sign up for Austin Energy’s Green Choice program, see tinyurl.com/GreenChoiceFAQ. When you sign up for the program, you are buying energy produced from 100% renewable sources like wind power and methane gas from landfills.