Earth Day turns 37 - Seven ideas to help you commemorate

Mar 18 (NC)-This April marks the 37th anniversary of Earth Day, providing an opportunity to think about how you can help address the growing concern of environmental impact from high energy use. A logical first place to start is by making your own home more energy-efficient.

Philips, a global leader in home lighting technology, suggests replacing incandescent lights with energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs in seven key locations in and around your home. This can dramatically reduce energy consumption and replacement costs.

However, even though most people want to become more energy efficient, they find it difficult to navigate a sometimes complicated world of energy-saving options.

Switching to compact fluorescent ( cfl s) products is probably the easiest and quickest way to promote energy-savings around your home. Philips Marathon compact fluorescent bulbs are a long life, energy-saving light bulb that provides soft white light while at the same time helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the costs of electricity bills. Available in a variety of models, colours, and wattages, these lights offer an energy efficient replacement for most types of incandescent lights in your home.

Below are seven of the best places in your home where you can switch to cfl s:

1. Of all the areas in your home, the kitchen is most likely the best candidate. Not only is this room used frequently, but an additional advantage of reduced energy is lower heat emissions. Decreasing the temperature by even a few degrees will save additional energy costs, and the family cook will be very appreciative.

2. High ceilings and stairwells are also great places for lighting replacement with an added advantage of the longer life cfl s have. The life expectancy of a cfl when compared to an incandescent is substantial. For example, a 75-watt incandescent bulb has a rated life of 750 hours, where as a 26-watt compact fluorescent bulb has a rated life of 10,000 hours1.

3. While motion censors can limit the hours in which your exterior lights are operational, they can also use a higher proportion of energy to turn on and off - making these lights another perfect candidate for an energy efficient lighting solution.

4. Areas where the family spends a great deal of time, often more than 3 hours a day, are prime locations when looking for energy savings. The family room can be one such location.

5. If you have a home office, consider replacing your incandescent desk bulb with an energy efficient household twister such as the Philips 15W Mini-Twister Daylight bulb that gives a cool white light.

6. cfl chandelier bulbs allow you to make your dining area more energy efficient. Philips is one company that makes a specialized cfl chandelier bulb as part of the compact fluorescent range.

7. A 16 watt dimmable flood light is a perfect replacement for your 65 watt incandescent light in the recreation room, games room or any recessed lighting areas in your home.

Ultimately, by choosing to use cfl s in your home, families can:

. Help cut greenhouse gases from electrical power generation

. Reduce electricity bills

. Enjoy longer lasting bulbs (5-7 years depending upon specific usage)

. Contribute to less landfill waste (approximately one cfl for every 10 incandescent bulb