CFL's - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - A Smart Choice
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL's) have revolutionized energy-efficient lighting. CFL's are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescent lamps. A coiled design allows them to be used in place of standard incandescent light bulbs. CFL's screw into standard sockets, and give off light that's color-balanced to look like common incandescent bulbs.
Benefits of CFL's
- Efficient: CFL's use one-fourth as much power and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs of the same brightness. A 20-watt CFL has about the same light output as a 75-watt incandescent.
- Less Expensive: Although CFL's are initially more expensive to purchase than comparable incandescent bulbs, you save money in the long run because CFL's use 1/4th the electricity and last up to 13 times as long as incandescent bulbs. A single 20-watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 550 kWh over its 10,000-hour lifetime. At 14 cents per kWh, that equates to over $75in savings over the CFL's 10,000 hour lifetime.
- Reduces Air and Water Pollution: Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste.
- High-Quality Light: Newer CFL's give a warm, inviting light instead of the washed-out "cool white" light of older fluorescents. CFL's use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. And the new generation of electronically ballasted CFL's don't flicker or hum.
- Versatile: CFL's can be applied nearly anywhere that incandescent lights are used. Energy-efficient CFL's can be used in recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porch lights. 3-way CFL's are also available for lamps with 3-way settings. However, standard CFL's are not dimmable. Although dimmable CFL's are available, at this time they're still rather expensive and seldom found on retail shelves.
How to Choose the Right Light
Matching the right CFL to the right kind of fixture helps ensure that it will perform properly and last a long time. The following information is courtesy of the US EPA Energy Star web site.
For example:
- CFL's perform best in open fixtures that allow airflow, such as table and floor lamps, wall sconces, pendants, and outdoor fixtures.
- For recessed fixtures, it is better to use a reflector CFL than a spiral CFL since the design of the reflector evenly distributes the light down to your task area.
- If a light fixture is connected to a dimmer or three-way switch, you'll need to use a special ENERGY STAR qualified CFL designed to work in these applications. Make sure to look for CFL's that specify use with dimmers or three-way fixtures.
- Choose a qualified CFL that offers a shade of white light that works best for you. For example, while most CFL's provide warm or soft white light for your home, you could choose a cooler color for task lighting.
- To choose the ENERGY STAR qualified CFL with the right amount of light, find a qualified CFL that is labeled as equivalent to the incandescent bulb you are replacing. Light bulb manufacturers include this information right on the product packaging to make it easy for consumers to choose the equivalent bulb. Common terms include "Soft White 60" or "60 Watt Replacement."
You should also check the lumen rating to find the right CFL. The higher the lumen rating, the greater the light output. Consult the following chart to determine what CFL wattage is best to replace your incandescent light bulb:
Proper Disposal of CFL's
You can take CFL's to the Leon County Landfill, Leon County Hazardous Waste collection event. The Green Living Center at 1020 N. Monroe St. (222-4521), also accepts used CFL's for proper disposal. For more information on CFL's including disposal and cleanup, visit the Energy Star CFL web page or the Sierra Club CFL web page.
CFL's contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams – about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFL's to equal that amount.
Mercury currently is an essential component of CFL's and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. 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 members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.