Energy Efficient Light Bulbs: In with the old, in with the new

Two very different stories concerning energy efficiency lighting appeared on our radar this Monday. One deals with new technology, while the other is a testament to the strength of the original bulb designs. First, two of the 2010 World Cup stadiums are shifting from the familiar old projection lighting Jumbotrons, instead opting for energy efficient LED screens. Accompanying this story is the tale of the world’s oldest light bulb, a carbon filament model which was first flipped on in 1901.

     At least two of the World Cup venues are rolling out new LED screens for 2010 World Cup attendees. Spectrum Visual, billed as South Africa’s leading digital signage company, was awarded the contract for the screens, which will be in full use in both Nelson Mandela Bay and Mbombela Stadiums. LED screens are composed of individual LEDs which are directed via a master controller to display video images. These screens are a testament to the rapid strides LED technology has taken because they are fully visible in the daytime light of sunny South Africa. The screens are being billed by Spectrum Visual as the perfect storm of energy efficiency and functionality.
    Energy efficient LED light bulbs, whatever the usage, do bring a lot to the table. LEDs draw up to 90% less amperage in comparison to incandescent bulbs. This mean the higher initial costs are quickly off-set by lower electricity bills. Additionally, LEDs are rated for 100,000 hours compared to 3,000 hours for incandescent bulbs. The only concern is start-up price, with LED lights running at a premium to incandescent bulbs. This should be a thing of the past in the coming years, or perhaps months, as manufacturers refine their process and volume increases. While old-style bulbs may need to be replaces annually or even more frequently, energy efficient LED lamps have an expected usable life of up to twenty years.
    Related to long-lasting bulbs comes the next bit of news. At the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Station Number 6 in Northern California they celebrated a birthday. First screwed in in 1991, their hand-blown glass with carbon filament bulb turned 109 today. Residing in its second home, the bulb was moved, with full police and fire escort, in 1975 when the fire station was relocated. Interestingly enough, the bulb follows the design of Adolphe A. Chaillet, a fierce competitor to Thomas Edison. While Edison’s bulbs of course won out, the Chaillet model was shown to have a longer live and survive much higher voltages. Clearly energy efficiency is a much more important, and measured, factor now than it was at the turn of the 20th century.The more things change, the more they stay the same...
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Florida Public Adjusters: One for The Good Guys

Local Miami Insurance Claims Adjuster and friend of the biz Florida Adjusting Services Team (who can be reached at http://www.fastclaim.net/) issued an interesting release this weekend. To view the statement in its entirety, take a look at http://www.prlog.org/10490786-hiring-public-adjusters-makes-dollars-and-sense.html.

Basically, it seems that insurance lobbyists got a Florida legislator to present a bill making it illegal for adjusters to contact someone for thirty days after a loss. The bill failed, but the state did instruct the Office of Public Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to research claims adjuster's effects on consumers.
Expected to be adjuster-negative, the report was anything but. According to the state researchers, public insurance adjusters, on average, obtain 547% higher settlements than policy holders who present claims and work directly with the insurance company. Sounds good to me!

Working with F.A.S.T. Claim in the past, I have always been impressed with the role Miami public insurance adjusters play in the time after a loss. From advocating for the public in the wake of serious ethical issues by insurance companies after Katrina, to seeing their day-to-day clients who simply are getting jerked around by the insurance companies, I have always been impressed with the integrity, ability, and hard work-ethic found in their team. Next time disaster strikes and the insurance company doesn't want to pony up definitely give them a call.

Best,
RP

Artisan Chocolate Fair: A Taste of Florence

Visitors to Florence from February 4th to 7th better bring their sweet tooth. The Artisan Chocolate Fair, an annual event, will be taking place during this time. Full of fun, free activities the fair includes chocolate sampling, shows, art, live music, and games. Look out for the working chocolate lamps; they are a very unique site that would make Mr. Wonka himself jump for joy.

The highlight of the show will be indulging in free samples courtesy of Tuscany's premier chocolate makers. Going well beyond the Hershey bar, samplings will include chocolate teas, coffees, and other drinks. As is par for the course in Tuscany, all treats will be accompanied by tall glasses of native vino.

Piazza Santa Croce, where this all takes place, will be open from 10 to 10 during this time, giving visitors and Tuscan natives alike plenty of time to explore and enjoy Florence's chocolate samplings.

While in town, travelers should be sure to experience Tuscany as a native would, the Tuscan Way. What does this mean? Staying in rustic Tuscan villas and enchanted castles, enjoying endless glasses of wine from nearby vineyards, and sharing tales of romance and intrigue over family recipes of the best pasta and sauces in the world. All are "must-do's" for visitors seeking a real Tuscan experience.

While there are a seemingly endless number of tour providers, they are not all created equal. Few truly deliver the blissful Tuscan experience. The premier Tuscany travel provider is Tuscan Way. They indulge guests with endless food and wine in serene settings. Days are filled with tours, museums, art, and culture, while nights are spend with food and wine, family and friends. A prime selling point is the guides who will accompany guests on their excursions. The Innocenti family, who have opened their doors to guests of Tuscan Way, share both their homes and recipes with visitors.

Whether you are visiting Tuscany for the chocolate fair, food, or culture play it safe and choose Tuscan Way as your travel provider. With a powerful mix of experience, properties, family, and access they are sure to please.

Tuscan Way, the premier Italian travel provider, can be reached on the web at http://www.tuscanway.com/ or by calling (800) 766-2390. Book today and buen provecho!

South Florida Energy Consumption and You

We in (ordinarily) sunny South Florida have been experiencing a rash of brown- and black-outs as of late. The current cold snap has brought record temperatures touching the high 30s in Miami; snow further north, and even dive-bombing iguanas.

The brown-outs are primarily being caused by the electric grid being overwhelmed by the use of electric heaters, which is typically unheard of in the Sunshine State. According to Reuters, electric consumption levels in Florida have reached all-time record levels. FPL set their all-time hourly record Monday with a stunning 24,354 megawatts, which is about 2,000 MW higher than the previous record demand. For reference, 1 megawatt can power ten thousand 100 watt bulbs. This is truly a startling surge in electrical consumption for the state.

While this raises larger Al Gore-esque questions of what resources should be used to create energy, ordinary people can do their part on a day-to-day basis by reducing their power consumption. It isn't hard, and usually saves you money. Some great methods to do so include:

1. Switching to energy efficient light bulbs
The two main types of energy efficient light bulbs and lamps are LEDs and CFLs. Both have slightly higher purchase prices than traditional incandescent bulbs, which is handedly off-set by their increases life and reduced power consumption. The case of every American home switching just one light bulb to an ENERGY STAR rated CFL shows how all stakeholders would gain. Homeowners save $600 million in annual energy costs. Greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions produced by 800,000 cars are not be sent into the atmosphere, and we have enough "extra" energy to light 3 million homes for a year. Seems like a win all the way around. New LED lights show similar gains, with tremendously longer usable lives compared to incandescent bulbs.

2. Going the solar route.
Reducing energy consumption is easy and shows immediate results, but equally vital is where this energy comes from. Solar and wind generated power are energy sources that are both plentiful and renewable. Switching to them not only makes fiscal and environmental sense, but gives home and business owners a (legitimate) feeling of independence. In speaking with Solaxiom International, Miami's solar and wind energy experts, it came to this author's attention just how important these technologies are. Further, they are much easier to install and operate then I originally thought. From partial applications, such as heating the pool, to full-fledged energy independence for business from warehouses to resorts look to see solar and wind energy generation become commonplace in the (very) near future.

3. Transportation
In 2007 transportation accounted for 28.5% of U.S. energy consumption. Granted, much of this is used by industrial vehicles (e.g. trucking or construction), but ordinary people can make a major dent into this figure. Switching to energy-efficient vehicles, using public transportation, and not minding putting the good 'ol fashioned shoe leather to use are all ways to reduce your personal energy consumption.

While this cold snap is sure to pass (I hope!), we must remember the lessons learned. Our energy usage has a tremendous impact on ourselves, those around us, and our children. Easy methods of reducing energy consumption, such as switching to energy efficient CFLs for your Florida business should become second nature to us. Everyone doing their small part will make the overall picture much prettier.

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Superior Lighting, Fort Lauderdale’s leader in energy efficient lighting is always happy to talk. They can be reached online at http://www.superiorlighting.com or via telephone at (800) 432-7995.