Ask an Expert

Do I increase my carbon footprint more by washing dishes by hand or by using a dishwasher?

My water is heated from an oil-fired boiler, and I use the standard offer electrical supplier.

There are some variables, like how many times a day you wash dishes, but unless you let your hot water run the whole time you wash dishes, you are likely to save energy by hand-washing your dishes.

How much more per month will it cost me to buy Clean Energy?

The cost varies, depending on how much energy you currently use, and on the clean energy product you purchase. If you follow the instructions on the Carbon Free Homes' site, you will be able to go to the websites of various power providers and see what their cost is. Typically, you may be paying about 3 cents more per kWh for your power. That's anywhere from $5-20 per month, depending on how many kWh you use per month.

Where can I find CFLs for dimmer, recessed, or other non-standard lights?

Thank you for your question. On this website you will find a list of participating retailers, who supply energy efficiency products, including compact fluorescent light bulbs. If your bulbs are a special size, you may need to ask your local provider to order them for you. Many of the larger stores such as Lowes and Home Depot are carrying a pretty comprehensive selection of CFLs at this point.

How can I buy the right size CFL when all I ever buy is 60-watt light bulbs?

All CFLs sold have the equivalent size regular bulb listed on them (60- watt = 15 watt). One of the best rules of thumb is, if replacing general lighting divide your regular bulb by 4 (60/4 = 15) and look for a CFL close to that number. For lighting needed in areas where you do close work, read, or just desire additional light, divide by 3 (60/3= 20). You will have more light than before and still save a lot of energy.