PLUGGED IN
Edison’s Story
Continued from inside panel
Like Thomas Edison had done with inventors before him,
the creators of the CFL kept some of Edison’s original
design. The major difference was that new CFLs ran much
more efficiently and did not waste energy giving off heat.
The introduction of CFLs required new labels to increase
consumer understanding. With incandescent bulbs, the
more energy (watts) a light bulb used, the brighter it was.
CFLs consume nominal energy regardless of brightness.
To address this, the term lumen now designates brightness. The more lumens a bulb has, the brighter it is. A
dim bulb is 450 lumens, while a
bright one is 1,600 lumens.
The color quality of CFLs is also
a consideration. Most will come
with a Color Index Rating. Light
colors range from cool blue,
which are appropriate for spaces
where you work and read, to
warm yellow, which are appropriate for sleeping and living
spaces. Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are even more
efficient and use the same lumen and color index rating.
Through continuing research and development, Edison’s
light bulbs are changing. The modern research laboratory
itself was one of Edison’s other great inventions. His laboratory provided an environment for great minds to
share materials and work on multiple projects at once—
as they develop new ideas and improve upon the technologies of the day.
In January 2011, the BLP became a member of the Energy
Education Council to enhance our customer outreach on
electrical safety, energy efficiency and the latest energysaving technologies. We hope you’re getting ‘Plugged In’
with our newsletter tips.
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power
News and Information from your Community-Owned
Electric Utility, Grand Haven Board of Light & Power
Created in 1896, the Board of Light & Power is one of
more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities
serving homes and businesses across the United
States. We are locally-controlled by a five-member
Board of Directors elected by Grand Haven residents
with approximately 13,500 customers in the greater
Grand Haven area.
January/February 2013
Inside:
Your Board of Directors:
Jack Smant, Chairperson
Gerald Witherell, Vice Chairperson
Larry Kieft, Director
John Naser, Director
Photo Courtesy of Tricia Bernhard
Energy Efficiency:
 Research & Improvement
in Electric Lighting
 Lowering Energy Costs in
the New Year
Safety Matters:
 Taking Care to Not Overload Outlets
Jim VanderMolen, Director
PLUGGED IN is published by the
Grand Haven Board of Light & Power.
Questions and comments may be submitted
to our Customer Services Department at:
1700 Eaton Drive
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: 616-846-6250
Fax: 616-846-3114
Emergency: 616-842-2241
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ghblp.org
GRAND HAVEN
BOARD OF LIGHT & POWER
www.ghblp.org
Community-owned . Locally-controlled . Not-for-Profit . Environmentally Responsible
SAFETY MATTERS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Thomas Edison’s Story Illuminates
Continued Research and Improvement in Electric Lighting
Thomas Edison contributed to scientific breakthroughs that affect human life across the
world. He is credited as one of the fathers of the modern era. Edison is perhaps most associated with electricity—and the light bulb.
Edison patented more than 1,000 inventions—many were improvements upon existing
technology of the time. In fact, while Edison is famous for his work with electric light, he
did not actually invent the light bulb. He advanced the light bulb in a way that made it
safe, practical, and affordable.
Edison’s incandescent light bulb remained largely unchanged for over 100 years. His light
bulb was completed in the 1880s, and major changes were not made until 1995. In 1995, the
compact florescent light bulb (CFL) became widely available. See Edison’s Story on back panel
Taking Care to Not
Overload Outlets
Count how many things in your living room need power.
It likely includes a TV, DVR, Cable and/or satellite box, a
game system, lamps, maybe a computer, speakers…so
many things that there is probably at least one power strip
being used to get power to everything. Many older homes
were just not built for all of the electrical needs that we
have today, and overloaded outlets and power strips can
results in fires, costly damage, and the loss of life.
That is why the Board of Light & Power is reminding customers to be careful to not overload their outlets. To help
ensure the safety of your home and family, make sure that
you:
Bring in the New Year with Lower Energy Costs

A new year is a chance for a new beginning. If you want a new beginning that involves saving money, the Board of Light &
Power and Energy Education Council offer the following tips, organized by how much certain costs contribute to your energy
bill:




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Heating and Cooling – 46 percent: Since heating and cooling is such a big cost, it is a good place to begin your savings.
During winter, dress warmly and keep the temperature in home moderate. In the summer, wear light clothing and use
fans to keep cool instead of running the air conditioning. You can save money any season by closing off rooms that you do
not need to heat or cool. Visit EnergyEdCouncil.org to learn how to properly insulate your home.
Water Heating – 14 percent: We need warm water throughout the day to shower, cook, and clean. We do not need warm
water every moment of the day. However, many people’s water heaters work hard to keep water warm constantly. You can
give your water heater a break by setting its temperature to 120 degrees.
Appliances – 14 percent: Do laundry in cold water, when possible. Keep your refrigerator at 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep attached freezers at 5 F, and separate freezers at 0 F. Air dry dishes and line dry clothes as often as possible.
Electronics and other devices – 14 percent: Let Energy Star help you cut costs. Energy Star products use at least 20
percent less energy than other products. Even if you are not replacing electronics, you can save money by unplugging
products that are not in use.
Lighting – 12 percent: Lighting is one of the easiest ways to increase your home’s efficiency. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs or Light Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs. Both types use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. CFLs and LEDs also last longer than incandescent lighting, so you will not have to replace
light bulbs as often.
Visit www.ghblp.org for more ways to save money and energy through the BLP’s Rebate and Energy Smart programs.

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Do not plug more than one
major appliance into an outlet at a time.
If an outlet is not working,
have an electrician check it
out. It may be an indicator of
unsafe wiring.
Have a professional install
more outlets on the proper
circuits where they are needed.
Check for loose-fitting plugs. Replace missing or broken wall plates so wiring and components are not
exposed.
Make sure there is an escape plan and that all members of the household practice it often.
It can be very tempting to add another plug to an outlet or
power strip, but fight the urge to find ways to plug additional devices into an outlet. As an alternative, unplug a
device—or two—before plugging in a new one.
Visit www.ghblp.org for more
Electrical Safety Tips.