March 28, 2009
Only if they work. An article in the New York Times suggests that Compact Fluorescent Bulbs – those ‘twisty’ bulbs that people love to hate – do not always save energy simply because they often don’t work. Apparently the quality of many CFLs is none too good, leading to many that either don’t work at all or die within a few hours of initial use.
This is another issue to add to a rather long list of consumer perceptions about CFL bulbs. Inadequate brightness, slow start times, mercury, poor package instructions, and a list of restrictions on CFL bulb use are further obstacles to CFL use. For instance, CFLs should not be used anywhere that heat can build up. This can be an enclosed kitchen fixture, a very small room, a sun room, or an adjustable-necked lamp with a shade that has no heat vent. CFLs also should not be used anywhere that you will have the light on for less than 15 minutes. Nor can they be used in dimmable lights or for emergency lights. These issues are reflected in the warranties. While many CFL bulbs are rated for 8,000 or 10,000 hours of use, their warranties typically expire after about 2,000 hours.
A better option is LED lights. New bulbs are available that do not require special sockets and are very reasonably priced. Almost all specialty and ‘can’ lights are now available as LED lights, as well as fluorescent ‘tube’ lights and replacements for standard 40 watt bulbs, with new bulbs appearing soon for the brighter models. Visit our LED fluorescent tube replacements page and our LED incandescent light replacements page to learn more.
Filed under: Energy Saving by energyguy
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Tags: CFL bulbs, Energy Saving, led lighting, led lights
March 16, 2009
The Twin Cities Sustainable Communities Conference is this Thursday at the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center for Community in St. Paul, MN.
In 2 parts, the first conference is from 1 PM to 6 PM and is the “Local Government Sustainability Conference” and is $25. The second is from 4:45 PM to 9:30 PM. This is the “Neighborhood Sustainability Conference” and is free. Online registration required for both conferences.
http://www.afors.org
Filed under: Events by energyguy
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Tags: energy conference, sustainability, sustainability conference
March 13, 2009
One way to help fund green energy projects is through energy rebates and incentives. To discover what incentives may be available for you, visit the DSIRE website at http://www.dsireusa.org/. The website appears with a map where you can click on your state to get a list of incentives, exemptions, and rebates as well as documents on rules and regulations. There is also a list of resources on the left side of the site.
Filed under: Energy Saving, Rebates & Incentives by energyguy
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Tags: energy incentives, energy rebates, Energy Saving
March 9, 2009
The waste generated by livestock operations and agricultural runoff builds up over time and turns ponds and lakes very green. Organic wastes such as fertilizers and manure encourage algae growth and starves out oxygen in ponds and lakes. Agricultural fertilizer encourages growth of algae within the water that chokes out sun and kills all the fish and insects. The waste that collects in the water does not have enough time to decompose and it starts building up choking out more oxygen. Eventually you are left with pictures like this:
But there is help!
By adding a product that literally eats the organic compounds shown in these pictures you can return lakes and ponds back to their natural state and at the same time be 100% environmentally friendly.
We are proud to introduce new technologies and products that have been specifically engineered to solve environmental challenges such as these. To see before and after pictures of a community lake visit http://www.uisminc.com/oil-spill-wastewater-cleanup.html
Filed under: Environment by greenlady
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Tags: agricultural runoff, pond sludge, wastewater cleanup, water pollution cleanup
March 3, 2009
When you start looking to compare standard 14 watt 15 inch x 1 inch fluorescent bulbs with LED tube lights don’t look at the price without comparing the differences. At first glance the price of a LED tube light bulb compared to a fluorescent bulb may seem more expensive but as you compare bulb to bulb the LED tube light shines some light on the differences.
Standard fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, have shorter life cycles and require more frequent light bulb changes and disposals. It is not an accurate comparison to just compare the size and price. LED lights have a more direct light making them better for offices and schools, but softer versions are available as well.
LED tube lights do not use as much energy and they have an exceptional long life of about 50,000 hours so you don’t have to change them as often. This can have ttremendous impact on labor cost savings. LED tube lights also do not contain mercury or heavy metals making them a more eco-friendly choice. Given the LED’s extended life and energy savings the spotlight shines on the LED tube lights for being the most efficient in cost, performance and environmental friendliness.
If you are looking for a source for energy saving light bulbs visit http://www.uisminc.com/fluorescent-led-lighting.html or http://www.uisminc.com/brightlight.html
Let us explain more about cooperative buying for government or schools. Call our team of experts with questions or to order at 1-866-668-5054.
Filed under: Energy Saving by greenlady
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Tags: fluorescent tube light replacements, led lights
February 24, 2009
Many industrial, agricultural and manufacturing plants produce wastewater and run off pollution that gets collected in lagoons on their property. Wastewater Lagoons overflow and leakage affects the health of nearby residents, property owners, lakes, streams and wildlife. Most people do not realize that there is a problem until the horrible stench stage.
People tend to take wastewater lagoons for granted and just dump in it forgetting that the key in having a lagoon is to maintain it. Water is one of the most valuable resources we have and treating these waste lagoons can have a major impact on our planet. Many companies are dealing with the high fines associated with neglected lagoons that leech out into other areas. Other companies are actively treating and maintaining their wastewater lagoons.
Visit www.uisminc.com to see some before and after pictures of a hog facility that treats their wastewater lagoon and a residential lake that has been treated for agricultural runoff.
Filed under: Environment by greenlady
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Tags: agricultural runoff, farm animal waste, wastewater lagoon
February 16, 2009
Most companies are pursuing energy saving strategies and looking for solutions that make the most sense. Assuming you a facilities manager of an older building and you want to keep costs down and cause as little disruption to the work day here is a list of the top 5 ways of making a commercial building more energy efficient.
1. Seal up all the holes, crevices and opening that let air escape and out of the building. Most of the air infiltration occurs around pipes, under doors, and gaps in the buildings envelope.
2. Replace inefficient lighting systems and fixtures with eco friendly LED bulbs and eco friendly fluorescents that save energy and outlast less efficient bulbs. Read more about energy saving light bulbs http://www.uisminc.com/brightlight.html and http://www.uisminc.com/fluorescent-led-lighting.html
3. Explore a building energy management system that makes commercial building management easier and more reliable. Building Energy Management solutions allow you to automate power-saving and security features of your building, improve safety, control and monitor climate, and analyze power and water use. Read more at http://www.uisminc.com/building-energy-management.html
4. Keep it cool by adding window film to windows which helps to keep the solar rays from heating up your building and making your air conditioning work overtime.
Filed under: Energy Saving by greenlady
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Tags: building energy efficiency, energy efficient, led lights
February 11, 2009
Congratulations to all the public schools in Minnesota that have been awarded grants under the partnership of Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERT) and The US Green Building Council.
The two areas that the grants focus on are projects led by students and improving the way their school building operates and is maintained. With 100 schools that received grants to make their schools more energy efficient and reduce gas emissions it may be time to find some resources to help you before and after your CERT carbon reduction plan.
UISM has a staff of experts that include professional government grant writers, consultants and energy specialists to help you with questions and solutions that your school may have. We also carry many of the products that can meet the needs of the grants. Please give us a call and let us help you answer questions 1-866-668-5054.
Filed under: Energy Saving by greenlady
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Tags: building energy efficiency, Energy Saving
January 25, 2009
Lighting a building can cost from 20% – 50% in energy consumption according to the Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT). If you want to increase the efficiency of your school, commercial or industrial building you need to evaluate the type of lighting that you have. Most buildings have inefficient light bulbs and fluorescent lighting that costs them more money to operate by being inefficient. Bright LED eco lighting and fluorescent-replacement LED eco lighting can be used to reduce energy consumption and power demand by over 65% and last much longer than older bulbs.
If you need help in determining what your lighting cost are or if you have any questions about eco lighting please give us a call at 1-866-668-5054.
Filed under: Energy Saving by greenlady
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Tags: building energy efficiency, Energy Saving, led lighting