Going Green

Over the past several years, the topic of global warming has become central to the national conversation about our future. And it’s no wonder. Use of energy and other critical resources is at an all time high, and the largest polluter is the U.S. This country accounted for 21 percent of global carbon emission in 2005.

Energy crises, such as the one experienced in California, have made conserving electricity a hot topic nationwide. The energy emergency is not just a California phenomenon. The North American Electric Reliability Council predicts that New England, New York City and Texas could experience electricity shortages as well.

As a result, most of the nation will experience double-digit price increases, as demand for electricity escalates.

Lighting costs could factor heavily into these increases. As it stands already, the Department of Energy reports that we spend, on average, 5%-10% of our electric bills on lighting for our homes. In some regions of the U.S., where air-conditioning is a modest part of the bill, this amount can be as high as 25%.

Fortunately, there are palatable ways to curb these costs. Shopping and living green doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality or spending more money. There are more and more attractive and user-friendly products available that promote intelligent, sustainable eco-friendly living.

Today, lighting technology allows us to enjoy a comfortable, pleasurable and elegant lifestyle without wasting precious natural resources. And, ultimately, energy conservation is far more than a pocketbook issue; it’s the socially responsible thing to do.

It’s our planet, after all.

Click here or come visit our showrooms to see our green products including COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS, and CEILING FANS.

Click or scroll down to read more about:
Compact Fluorescents
Ceiling Fans
Energy Star Products
Recycling and Refurbishing

Compact Fluorescents

Incandescent lamps have historically been the most frequently used in residential applications due to their low initial cost. But while incandescent bulbs are inexpensive to buy, they are ultimately more pricey to use as they consume more energy than any other type of bulb and have a relatively short life, making operating costs high.

There is, however, a terrific alternative: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the most significant lighting advance developed for homes in recent years. They combine the efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience of incandescent fixtures.

Energy-efficient fluorescents use one-fifth to one-third the electricity of a comparably bright incandescent bulb and last 10-20 times longer. In addition, for the same amount of electrical energy, compact fluorescent bulbs produce 3-4 times more light than an incandescent bulb.

Switching to compact fluorescents will by no means compromise your home’s décor and aesthetics. Due to major improvements over the last few years in the color rendering abilities of fluorescent lamps, fluorescent lamps are now a very viable and attractive alternative to incandescent lamps for home lighting use. Fluorescent lighting is now available in over 200 colors, ranging from the warm white tones of incandescent light to cool white tones similar to daylight.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a wonderful way to conserve electricity year-round. They are energy efficient and economical, utilizing approximately the same amount of energy as a 100-watt light bulb.

Although ceiling fans don't actually lower the temperature of a room like an air conditioner, by spinning the air, they create a wind chill effect that makes you feel up to eight degrees cooler.

Running a ceiling fan costs about one cent per hour, or pennies a day, versus the several dollars a day that it costs to run an air conditioner.

In the winter, ceiling fans move warm air back to the center of the room, pushing it down from the ceiling and helping homeowners save as much as 10% on their heating bills.

Energy Star Products

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Its goal is to help us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Consequently, energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. Energy Star helps you make the energy efficient choice.

Energy Star qualified lighting provides bright, warm light but uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting, produces 75 percent less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.

Results are already adding up. With the help of Energy Star, Americans saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills.

Annapolis Lighting has partnered with Energy Star as part of our commitment to "going green". Annapolis Lighting supports Energy Star wholeheartedly. Energy Star qualified lighting fixtures and replacement bulbs can be found in all of our showrooms. Our lighting specialists can help you compare light sources, choose bulbs and cut your energy costs.

Recycling and Refurbishing

• SHADES
  We offer a large, diverse selection of superior quality, top notch, designer-style lampshades. Bring in your lamp for proper fit. Add a unique finial for an extra special touch.
• BULBS
  We are the go-to store for specialty light bulbs that can be so difficult to find. If it exists, chances are we have it.
• REPAIRS
  Whether your lamp or chandelier needs a new socket or a complete restoration, our technicians can get your old favorite back in service in no time — and working and looking better than ever.
  
• RECYCLE
  We recycle shipping boxes, paper and compact fluorescent (CFL) BULBS. Just drop off your old, unbroken bulbs at one of our locations.
• ENERGY CONSERVATION
  We partner with Energy Star to help us use as little electricity as possible. You will find most display lamps retrofitted with fluorescent or halogen bulbs. In non-retrofittable fixtures we use lower than the recommended wattage for bulbs. Also, we make every effort to have as few lights on during closed hours as possible to still perform our functions and keep our environment safe.

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