Creating energy efficient upscale homes is the focus in an article by Fine Homebuilding Magazine.  In a special publication titled Energy-Smart Homes, the magazine addresses many home products that can be used for the home building trade.

The magazine has an article focused on energy efficient lighting, in particular the CFL.  The article addresses three concerns of the homeowner about the use of fluorescent lighting in their homes.  Using industry information, they have a great summary about the dangers of mercury that is needed to use the fluorescent lighting.  They state that there is mercury in many products used in the home, besides fluorescent lights and that the CFL has the mercury contained in the bulb.  Also that the mercury in the bulb is less than what is emitted into the atmosphere when energy inefficient lighting is used.  Secondly, the article also reports the steps to follow if a bulb is broken, without the need for a hazmat team to arrive.  And finally it addresses the range of color of the light that is emitted by the modern fluorescent lights.

Modern fluorescent lighting has come a long way from the flickering harsh light that were first introduced in the mid 50s.  The industry has worked hard to reduce the hazards and produced a variety of light colors to enhance our indoor environment.  It also has created more efficiencies by creating more variety and pleasing replacements for our standard incandescent lights.

It has reached an age of maturity that even the finest of homes are using them to reduce cost and save the environment.

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.

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.

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

After reading the “Any Other Bright Ideas” article featured in the Home and Garden section of the New York Times Martha Stewart was “immediately drawn” to CFLs and the idea of being able to save the environment at the same time as saving money on her electricity bill. After sharing the article with her producer they decided this issue was worthy of further discussion.

On July 16 The Martha Stewart Show aired a eight minute segment featuring TCP’s SpringLight CFL. The SpringLight CFL was the main CFL showcased on the program. Martha was amazed that it ““seemed to go on right away”, “they don’t burn out”, and that’s its “a really nice size”. She also felt that the TCP SpringLight CFL was “perfect for a bedroom side table or a living room table”.

Click Here to view this segment of the July 16 episode.

The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) is playing an integral part in helping cities implement climate protection programs by providing a purchasing alliance for cities that will make green products more accessible and affordable.  The partnership will enable an additional eleven hundred cities to gain access to volume discounts on energy-efficient and clean-energy products and technologies through CCI’s purchasing consortium. Previously, these benefits were available only to the , a group of forty of the world’s largest cities working in concert to fight climate change.

In 2007, efforts by The U. S. Conference of Mayors were critical to Congress passing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), which will allocate as much as $2 billion to cities every year for five years.  The funds would be used on climate protection initiatives, including energy efficient lighting in residential, commercial and industrial applications.  Once the funding is appropriated, cities can work with groups like the CCI to purchase products that will help reduce their carbon footprint.

TCP is proud to be working with the CCI on their new program for U.S. mayors by offering a variety of energy efficient lighting products to cities looking to retrofit existing buildings, or install new energy efficient lighting in new construction.

Although the U.S. Conference of Mayors labeled their annual meeting in Miami, June 20-24, as their first “green” annual meeting, the issue of climate protection is not a new topic for this group.  They’ve been on the front lines, more than 850 strong, pledging to make climate protection a priority in cities from coast to coast.

There is a new angle to how mayors are discussing climate protection.  Unlike previous annual meetings, when it was one item on the agenda, this year, the issue weaved its way through the entire conference.  Task force committees shared best practices for energy, sustainable freight, community trees, and water quality.

Beyond “greening” the meeting with hybrid transportation and green lodging, mayors were quick to discuss how climate protection is impacting other aspects of city government.  For example, when reviewing the economy, mayors shared how the emergence of “green” collar jobs and environmental technologies are helping cities offer new employment opportunities to residents and attract new companies.

Energy efficient practices, such as fluorescent lighting and solar panels, which were once only addressed around the topic of climate protection, are now being discussed as a way for cities to cut costs amid rising fuel prices.

The mayors are working with the business community to find innovative solutions that will benefit their residents and help our planet too.   TCP is a member of the USCM business council and a charter member of the climate protection council.  In this role, TCP can advise the mayors as they navigate the unchartered waters of making cities more sustainable.

It’s very clear – climate protection is no longer an issue that stands alone.  Its impact can be felt in nearly every aspect of city government.  This annual meeting is a strong testament to the progress they’ve made and a promise for greener, healthier, more livable cities and TCP is committed to helping their efforts.

The 76th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) wrapped up last week in Miami with hundreds of mayors from across the country coming together to address the most pressing issues facing cities. TCP was the title sponsor of the four-day conference, which was billed as the first “green” annual meeting with special attention given to hybrid transportation, energy efficient lighting, green lodging and water conservation, to name a few.

TCP CEO Ellis Yan addressed the mayors on the importance of energy efficiency, specifically energy efficient lighting, in helping to reduce energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions in their cities. Climate protection has always been top of mind for mayors, with more than 850 signing the Climate Protection Agreement, urging cities to meet or beat the criteria outlined in the Kyoto Protocol.

Meeting highlights included keynote speeches by presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, who both encouraged mayors to make climate protection a priority in their communities.

The annual meeting also welcomed a new USCM President. Miami Mayor Manny Diaz was inaugurated as the group’s 66th President, only the second Hispanic to lead the mayors. He pledged to continue pushing both the Republican and Democratic nominees to support the mayors bipartisan “10-Point Plan …Strong Cities …Strong Families for a Strong America,” which includes specific recommendations for the next President of the U.S.

For more information on the annual meeting and to view speeches from the conference, click here.

Hello and welcome to the TCP’s blog “Bright Point”! We are excited to be launching our blog, and are looking forward to sharing news and information on TCP, our product categories, industry trends, and other topics that make TCP the leader in energy efficiency.

We will be featuring knowledge and insights from a number of sources, including but not limited to, TCP employees, reps, agents, distributors, specifiers, and industry news sources.  If you have an idea for a blog post, please contact us, or feel free to ask us questions - We can’t wait to hear from you!