Today the Consumer Reports Blog featured TCP’s friend Ed Hammer, the father of the Compact Fluorescent Lamp, on their bimonthly segment “10 Questions for…” . In this segment of the blog, a Consumer Reports’ editor presents different leaders in their fields with you guessed it – 10 questions.

In this interview Ed explained how the energy crisis in the 70’s led him to design the first CFL, which is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Ed also discussed other hot topics relating to CFLs including why it took so long for CFLs to reach stores, mercury concerns when a CFL breaks, and if CFLs here to stay.

To hear more from Ed Hammer about his revolutionary invention you can visit www.drop-the-hammer.com to listen to podcasts sponsored by TCP, Inc.

The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio has implemented a unique program this summer entitled, “How Many Light Bulbs Does it Take to Change an Episcopalian?” The goal is to encourage energy efficient lighting at homes, offices and churches throughout the Diocese. TCP is proud to be collaborating with the Church on this endeavor.

Each church in the Ohio Diocese received 50 TCP compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to give to members of the congregation to use in their homes. Members participating in the program are encouraged to switch more of their incandescent bulbs to CFLs. Each CFL saves $55 in electricity costs over the 9-year life of the bulb.

The churches are also replacing their own light bulbs in the sanctuary, common areas and offices. According to a recent article by the Youngstown Vindicator, sixty of the 95 churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio have already changed light bulbs.

You may be wondering why a light bulb manufacturing company would have interest in being on a video sharing website. Being on YouTube provides an opportunity for TCP, Inc. to broadcast ourselves to over 79 million users!

TCP currently has six videos available for your viewing pleasure including: The History of Lighting and CFLs, Volcanoes Power Plants and CFLs, Lighting and Phosphors in CFLs, Light Color and CFLs, CFLs and The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Bright Town Trailer.

So stop on by TCP’s YouTube page – http://www.youtube.com/user/TCPnetwork and check out our videos we have posted as well as some of our favorite videos posted by others.

Real Simple Magazine’s September issue “road tested” several compact fluorescent lightbulbs.  After reviewing over 30 bulbs, Real Simple staff testers found TCP SpringLight and n:vision, made by TCP for Home Depot, to among the top performing CFLs on the market. 

To read more on the RS staff findings, pick up the September issue of Real Simple Magazine at your local newsstand today!

Below are links to a few interesting items I came across this week.

• Unless you’re Ed Hammer, you probably don’t know why CFLs are shaped like swirls.  This post at the blog ecosalon has a nice, concise explanation.
• We want to thank Today’s Facility Manager Magazine for recently featuring TCP’s partnership with EcoZone on their blog.
• Here is a hilarious clip from the Colbert Report where slate.com contributor, Brendan Koerner, is
  explaining the benefits of CFLs to
  Stephen Colbert.

Yesterday, EcoAlign released the results from their fourth EcoPinion study. Among the major finding were:

The “Energy Star” label is extremely important to 31 percent of consumers and is very important to another 37 percent, for a total of 68 percent of consumers indicating that the “Energy Star” label has value in regard to their purchasing decisions.

TCP knows the value of the ENERGY STAR label, too. That’s why we have over 400 ENERGY STAR rated CFLs, and residential fixtures. Visit our ENERGY STAR page to get the complete listing of TCPs ENERGY STAR items.

Many consumers gearing up to make the switch to energy efficient CFLs are overloaded with the past stereotypes about fluorescent lighting. One of the biggest concern in regards to everyday living is that CFLs cause headaches. Many consumers are unnecessarily worried that they have to choose between saving money on their electricity bill and living headache free.

According to a recent article on The Daily Green many experts say that the issue is being overblown and that there is no scientific evidence that CFLs cause headaches. “As far as I’m aware there is no association between headaches and the use of compact fluorescent lamps,” says Phil Scarbro of Energy Federation Incorporated (EFI), a leading distributor of energy efficiency-related products — including many CFLs.

The article goes on to state that Industry experts acknowledge that exposure to older, magnetically ballasted fluorescent bulbs could cause headaches due to their noticeable flicker rate.

Dave Naterali, TCP’s Director of Research & Development, states that Older, electromagnetic fluorescent lighting ballasts from the 1960s commonly caused problems, generally associated with a perception of flicker. These included drowsiness, headaches, migraines, and difficulty in concentration. The perceived flicker was caused by the lamps response to the frequency of the input power coming from the building’s electrical outlets and switches. The incoming power being supplied at 60Hz and was doubled to 120Hz to power the CFL. This means the lamp was powering on and off at a rate of 120 cycles per second. While the human eye could not consciously see the flicker, the effect of the pulses being sensed by the retina in the eye.

Newer, electronic ballasts use transistors to boost the input from 60Hz to the frequency range of 25 to 40 kHz. People who had problems with older electromagnetic ballast fluorescent lights seem to be less affected by compact fluorescent lights (CFL) and other fluorescent lights which use electronic ballasts. These ballasts use transistors to boost the input 60-Hz power to the frequency range of 25 to 40 kHz virtually eliminating the eye strain experienced with electromagnetic ballasts.

At TCP Headquarters yesterday, we successfully kicked off a campaign in support of the Northern Ohio USO.  Entitled, “A Hero’s Light: One light until they all come home,” TCP hosted more than 400 people outside it’s corporate headquarters where a parade complete with veterans, marching bands and city officials started the celebration. 

Local businesses bought “Hero’s Light” shippers, each containing 132 CFLs, to share with employees or to use in their own facilities to increase energy efficiency. TCP has already sold 54 shippers – with the company well on its way to reaching its goal of 250 shippers, totaling a donation of $25,000 to the Northern Ohio USO. To commemorate the successful campaign launch, the USO gave TCP its “wings” and named it a corporate angel. 

“This program, ‘A Hero’s Light’, is the start of a new partnership for us with the USO, with the goal that we hope we share with every American – to support the brave men and women who dedicate their lives for our freedom,” said TCP CEO, Ellis Yan.

For more information about donating money or care package items or to purchase a CFL shipper to support the USO, click here or call (330) 995-1630.

A recent blog regarding a melted and slightly charred, burnt out compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) voiced a consumer’s concern about possible fire risks associated with using a CFL.

Unfortunately, as with many electrical products, there have been instances where CFLs have malfunctioned. But, this situation usually arises when the product is defective or improperly installed. It can also occur toward the end of the CFL’s life.

According to an ENERGY STAR response to a similar concern, when a CFL is near the end of its life, the tube’s arc may rise in temperature, possibly creating some short-lived smoke and odor.

While it may smoke, or the base or glass tubing may darken, an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL should never catch on fire.

Jerry Catherine, TCP’s Director of Engineering and Product Development, states this scenario occurs in about 0.0000001% of TCP manufactured CFLs. But that percentage is not low enough for TCP’s Engineering Department. TCP is currently developing a new technology that would essentially eliminate this experience. Even though this occurrence is not a hazard, it is an inconvenience that unnecessarily worries many consumers.

If one of your CFLs starts to smoke or melt, simply shut off the power, let it cool and remove it from the fixture.

For more sources with supporting information, visit the following links:

Visit CNW Group

Visit Renewable Planet

In the ongoing effort to become more sustainable, many commercial and industrial architects, building managers and owners are exploring new ways to improve efficiency.  With many companies operating 24-7 shifts, turning off the lights is not always an option for cutting energy use.  So, to help combat the waste of energy in commercial and industrial applications, TCP has developed a new linear fluorescent line named EcoVations^TM, a specification fixture division.

EcoVations offers a combination of energy efficient technologies, including the industry’s first ever lamp, ballast, fixture combination, while providing a creative approach to helping reduce energy costs and protecting the environment.  With longer lamp life and 95 percent lumen maintenance, EcoVations lighting requires less maintenance than ordinary incandescent or fluorescent fixtures.

From linear fluorescent and LED lamp hybrid fixtures to innovative downlighting options, EcoVations responds to the diverse needs of existing and new construction commercial and industrial facilities.

Now, companies who need to leave the lights on can and still save energy, money and help protect the planet.