How Much Coal Can A CFL Save?

Imagine one light bulb consuming electricity around the clock for one full year. How much coal would it take to light that bulb if it were an incandescent? How about if it were compact fluorescent? Let’s do the calculation:

The thermal energy content of coal is 6,150 kWh/ton of coal. If 40% of the thermal energy in coal is converted to electricity, then:

0.4 x 6,150 kWh/ton = 2,460 kWh/ton of coal burned

One 100-watt light bulb burning for one full year:

0.1 kW x 8,760 hours = 876 kWh

So that: 876 kWh/(2,460kWh/ton) = 0.3561 tons = 712 pounds of coal burned per year

One 23-watt CFL burning for one ful year:

0.023 kW x 8,760 hours = 201 kWh

So that: 201.5 kWh/(2,460kWh/ton) = 0.0819 tons = 164 pounds of coal burned per year

The difference? 712 – 164 = 548 pounds of coal saved per year!

Carbon Dioxide Savings

There are, on average, 2.2 pounds of carbon dioxide per pound of coal burned.

548 pounds of coal saved annualy x 2.2 pounds of carbon dioxide/pound of coal = 1,206 pounds CO2 per 23-watt CFL changed!

Carbon Offsets: Neat Way to Cut Your Footprint

A carbon offset is a credit sourced from a project or technology that seeks to reduce or sequester carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon offsets balance out  emissions associated with certain activities through actions or projects that reduce or eliminate other emissions. Examples of projects or technologies that qualify for carbon offsets are:

1. Renewable Energy Generation: This includes solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, biofuels, and marine energy. It is equivalent to purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs).

2. Forest Sequestration: This involves the planting of new trees to absorb carbon dioxide over time (i.e. reforestation and afforestation).

3. Energy Efficiency Projects: This involves the substitution of old, inefficient appliances, lighting fixtures, and structures with more energy efficient ones.

What To Look For When Purchasing Carbon Offsets:

Integrity: Make sure that the projects that your carbon offsets are funding are legitimate and actually reducing carbon emissions. They have to be real projects with measurable results.

Accuracy: The methodology used to calculate carbon offsets must be recognized. Examples of recognized methodologies include the EPA Climate Leaders’ methodology and the World Resources Institute Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Methodologies also should be approved by a third-party organization.

Verifiability: To ensure that projects are verifiable, purchases and sales should be verified by an independent auditing organization. This will ensure that your dollars match the results obtained  in the funded projects.

BeGreen Carbon Offsets

If you are interested in supporting cleaner energy sources like wind, solar and biomass through the purchase of renewable energy credits, look to Green Irene’s BeGreen Carbon Offsets, which allow you to offset the emissions of your home, car, and travel. Green Irene offers different offset packages depending on the size of your home, vehicle, or frequency of airline travel and the subsequent emissions produced. For example, for $144 you can offset 8 metric tons of carbon (estimated emissions for a medium-sized home every month). For more information contact your Local Eco-Consultant.

Do You Know Your Family’s Carbon Footprint?

Global warming is one of the most pressing problems we face today. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is causing the planet to warm quickly. This is having serious effects here and around the world, including stronger storms, hotter summers, more frequent drought and flooding, and even the loss of species.

Each of us contributes to increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in various ways. Each time we consume electricity, food, and other goods and services, we contribute to global warming because of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with most daily activities. The amount we contribute annually is known as our carbon footprint.

Your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant can show you how to determine how much your family contributes to global warming. The Carbon Footprint Calculator allows you to determine your carbon footprint from all the activities in which you engage in your daily life. The calculator will basically add up all the carbon contributions associated with your consumption and living patterns to determine how much carbon dioxide you emit every year and how this compares to the global average and averages across other countries.

With this Calculator, the Eco-Consultant can show you how much your family contributes so that you can make changes to your lifestyle to reduce your contribution to global warming. You will find that most of the changes you can make will actually not affect your lifestyle and will perhaps even save you money. Ask your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant to find out more about your carbon footprint and what you can do about it. Also, after you take the steps we recommend and you’re still determined to be a carbon-neutral family, we have green carbon offsets for your family’s auto and air travel.

Rosamaria Caballero Stafford
Co-Founder and the Original Green Irene