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Girls Gone Green Mar 3, 2008

Turn Me On

Reality Series #15

And then he said, ”Let there be light!” eco-friendly light bulbs, that is!

Dave, my fabulous new Boyfriend (calling him that does not get old!), has given me the run down on the light bulb situation in my home.

As every girl knows lighting is very important, especially in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.

Dave shows up to my house with a bag full of different kind of light bulbs.

“Why do I need so many?”

“Not all bulbs are created equal, babe.”

“I usually just go to the drugstore and load up on the ACME brand. You know the kind the Road Runner would throw at Wile E. Coyote?”

“I’m not familiar with the Warner Brothers brand of light bulb but I brought you one for every room plus outdoors.”

“Lay it on me. Just make sure the bedroom light is super gentle. Ok?”

“Oh, that’s too bad because I was going to put up florescent lights like in an office with no windows?”

Cute. Don’t you love it when they start to get comfortable?

Here’s what he got me… isn’t it romantic?

For flush-mounted ceiling fixtures
Best coil: n:vision 9-watt compact fluorescent, $4.97, HomeDepot.com for stores

Smaller than others in this popular shape, this has a particularly appealing soft-white glow. It's ideal for desk lamps, too.

Or for the dressing area!

For the yard Dave brought me
Best flood: Greenlite 23-watt flood, $14, Lights That Save
(714) 827-1220

This bulb directs a powerful beam straight ahead and plenty of light in a wider circle, too. And with the most wattage at stake, outdoor eco bulbs offer the greatest energy savings.

For recessed/track lighting for my living room.
Best reflector: Sylvania "Energy Star" compact fluorescent, $6.98, Sylvania.com for stores.

Dave tells me that a narrower profile than some means it fits easily into differently shaped fixtures. The bulb itself is good-looking, so if part of it shows, you're okay.

For pendant lamps apparently the best globe: GE Energy Smart compact fluorescent from $4, GELighting.com for stores

The plastic dome houses a standard coil bulb. A smaller ballast (the part that holds the glass) makes it less bulky and prettier than its competitors.

For table and standing lamps
Best traditional: IKEA 11-watt "Sparsam", $9.99/set of two, ikea.com for stores near you.

A familiar silhouette makes this a great "transitional" bulb for the eco-leery, it works well with anything for which you'd use an old-school incandescent.

 Ideal for a lamp with a shade that rests directly on the bulb (which coils won't accommodate.) I AM learning so much!

For my chandelier (that I don’t have but want)
Best candle: Energy Wiser 7-watt "CF Deco", about $7, check out Bulbrite.com for stores near you.

The most graceful lines in its class. Its frosted finish creates a soft, cozy ambience that's perfect for the living room or entry hall… or bedroom.

Hey--did you miss the beginning of RiverWired's new Green Reality Series: Girls Gone Green? Come on, catch up. Check out Shari’s previous posts here.