a smaller footprint

Mr. Luna’s Bright Idea - a CFL for every pre-K-12 student in America!

1 comment February 10th, 2006

Ken Luna is an 8th grade science teacher in North Babylon, New York. His plan; To get Oprah to help him give every child in America(PreK-12), just ONE Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulb to take home and plug into their favorite lamp. Helping to help fight global warming by reducing carbon emissions from electric power plants, saving Americans AT LEAST 2.3 BILLION dollars in electricity costs, and helping to put America on the path to environmental sustainability.
UPDATES — The Bright Idea is burning brighter with a donation of 5500 compact fluorescent bulbs from Home Depot, for local students. See the story. View the press release.

Editors note: The last sentence in our own FAQ sums-up the way we feel about energy awareness, sustainability and taking your first steps by switching to CFL’s. That line is simply “Do it for the kids”. Mr. Luna’s plan is not only for the kids, but engages and educates students in its process, demonstrating sustainability and the way that one motivated person really can make a difference. That’s a teacher — and this is a “teachable moment”. At CFLbulbs.com, we applaud Mr. Luna’s spirit and encourage our users to assist in his quest to replace so many energy hogging bulbs with efficient compact fluorescents.

Wisconsin hotel goes fossil fuel free

Add comment February 10th, 2006

Recognized by Natural Home & Garden magazine as one of the “Top 10 Eco-Destinations in North America,” Inn Serendipity is one of nine small businesses named 2004 ENERGY STAR Small Business Network Award winners today. The firms had the foresight to undertake energy efficiency improvements that saved $40,000 in annual energy costs and more than 590,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually and those 2004 upgrades will be even more valuable this winter.

Inn Serendipity is a bed and breakfast and organic farm, owned by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko.

Starting with increasing the energy efficiency of the bed and breakfast, the owners incorporated an array of improvements and innovative strategies. The bed and breakfast installed double-paned, low-emissivity (low-E) windows, the attic space was insulated to a R-Value of R-19, caulking and weather-stripping was applied, and the water heater and hot water pipes were insulated. The only cooling used is an ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioner for the office. Much of the Inn’s water heating is provided by a solar thermal system, so guests shower with water heated by the sun. ENERGY STAR qualified screw-in compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were used throughout the facility. Laundering of clothing and linens is accomplished by an ENERGY STAR qualified washing machine. Its refrigerator is an ENERGY STAR qualified Sun Frost.

Congratulations to the Ivanko’s! Nice work.