Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs):

The City of Fort Wayne recommends purchasing Energy Star qualified CFLs, which are guaranteed to use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. These CFLs save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime and produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.

Residents can recycle CFLs at no charge in Fort Wayne at Sears and any of the three Do It Best Hardware Stores.  You can also seal the CFLs in two plastic bags and put them into your outside trash.  CFLs should not be disposed of in an incinerator.

Energy Star qualified CFLs have a two-year warranty. If the bulb has failed within the warranty period, return it to your retailer.

Many people have been concerned lately about CFLs containing mercury.  CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount.

Mercury currently is an essential component of CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. Many manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products. In fact, the average amount of mercury in a CFL is anticipated to drop by the end of 2007, thanks to technology advances and a commitment from the members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

If you break a CFL, the EPA recommends taking the following precautions:

• Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes
• Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner
• Use sticky tape (such as duct tape) to pick up the small pieces and powder
• Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it
• Wash your hands after disposing of the bag

It is important to realize that more mercury is put into the air (from coal-fired electricity plants) from continuing to use incandescent light bulbs, than is released from using a CFL and breaking it.

Tips for saving gas money:

Keep tires properly inflated - You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

Plan ahead and combine trips - Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient.  With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You'll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.

Avoid excessive idling - Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.

Turn off your car - Studies show that it's more fuel efficient to turn off your car than it is to let it idle for much longer than 45 seconds.

Drive sensibly - Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Observe the speed limit - While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.

Remove excess weight - Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

Avoid sudden stops and turns - Studies indicate that when you brake gradually, start slowly, and avoid those sudden stops that you can increase your fuel efficiency.

Keep your engine properly maintained - Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.  Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Check the alignment of your car - Improper alignment will cause a certain amount of engine drag, which will increase the amount of gas that you're using.

Rotate your tires - When you regularly rotate your tires and check them for uneven use and wear, you will find that you are saving money on both tires and gas.

Check and replace air filters regularly - Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.

Power is in your hands
http://www.ase.org/uploaded_files/powersmart/PowerSmartBklt-web.pdf

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm

101 Ways to Save Energy
http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_000293.pdf

Ultimate list – No Cost –Low Cost Ways to Save Energy and Money
http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/965

Calculate your energy savings with specific actions
http://hes.lbl.gov/

Energy Saving Game for Kids
http://www.energyhog.org/

Federal Tax Credits
http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Car saving tips
http://www.ase.org/content/news/detail/2440

Fuel cost calculator
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.shtml

Citilink
http://www.fwcitilink.com/

Greenways
http://www.fortwayneparks.org/images/stories/RGWmap.06.pdf