A Busy Person's Tool for Saving the Planet

April 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Good intentions don't necessarily lead to action, as many of us with families, jobs and hectic lives know. Suddenly, Earth Day is upon us again (April 22). It is a valuable marker for reflecting on what has been accomplished to address climate change and a kick in the pants for us busy people to do something...anything... to help turn this global-weirding barge around.

Fortunately, there are many tools and resources for making a difference so you don't have to quit your job or move out of your house to cut carbon emissions. The Light Bulb Finder mobile app from Eco Hatchery is one example of how easy it is to transform dormant pledges into fast action. The app won't save the planet, but it's a start.

Available as a free download for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, the Light Bulb Finder app gives users immediate recommendations for switching from incandescent light bulbs to the new-fangled, energy-saving equivalents. Based on your own needs, the app recommends LEDs and CFLs with the right style and light quality for your home. It instantly calculates the potential energy savings and CO2-reduction benefit of switching one or more bulbs. The EPA named Light Bulb Finder "Best Overall App" in its Apps for the Environment competition.

Switching from incandescent to energy-efficient bulbs is one of the fastest, cheapest and most effective steps individuals can take to help combat climate change. Users of the Light Bulb Finder app have on average cut their electricity bills by $93 a year by replacing just 7 light bulbs. Collectively, these users have cut carbon emissions by 22.8 million pounds through reduced electricity consumption. That is equivalent to taking 1,991 cars off the road.

Although energy-efficient LEDs and CFLs are improving rapidly and becoming increasingly affordable, the transition from incandescent bulbs and standard measures has been confusing for many consumers, and adoption has been slow. Light Bulb Finder translates a user's needs into specific recommendations, weighing all the latest product options. Based on their own priorities, users can create shopping lists directly on the app for easy reference in stores. The app is not affiliated with any bulb retailers, and all recommendations are based on internal and third-party research. The database of energy-saving bulbs is continually updated to keep pace with market changes.

Light Bulb Finder is supported primarily through municipal and utility programs that aim to improve our communities through energy efficiency and conservation.

To install the free app, visit the app store and search for "Light Bulb Finder" or scan the QR code.