Learn About Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

By replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), you'll save money and help the environment.

Cost Saving Benefits

Regular incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient. In fact, over half the energy consumed by an incandescent light bulb produces heat, not light. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. A CFL bulbs typically uses 65%-75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb to provide the same amount of light. Another benefit of CFL bulbs is that they last up to 10 times longer than a regular light bulb.

Although the up-front cost of a CFL bulb is typically higher than a standard incandescent bulb, the cost savings over the life of the bulb can be striking. Let's take a concrete example. Suppose you replace one 100 watt standard incandescent bulb with a 28 watt CFL bulb that produces the same amount of light. Assume also that:

the CFL bulb costs $5.00 and lasts 10,000 hours
a standard incandescent bulb cost $0.75 and lasts 1,000 hours (therefore 10 standard bulbs are required to last as long as the one CFL bulb).
the cost of electricity in your area is $0.12/kWh

The costs break down as follows:

Item

Standard Incandescent Bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Bulb

Savings

Cost of Bulb(s)

$7.50

$5.00

$2.50

Cost of Electricity (10,000 hours)

$120.00

$33.60

$86.40

Total Savings

$88.90

So think about it. By replacing one light bulb, you could save $88.90 over the life of that bulb. If you replace more bulbs, your savings could be even greater.

It's also important to note that in some areas of the U.S., notably the North East, the cost of electricity to consumers is closer to $0.17 - $0.20/kWh.

Finally, don't forget the heat. Given that standard incandescent bulbs throw off most of their energy as heat, your home cooling costs in the summer increase in order to offset the heat generated by your standard incandescent light bulbs.

Environmental Benefits

Over half of the electricity in the U.S. is generated by coal-fired power plants. The abundance of coal in the U.S. makes it one of the cheapest energy sources for power plants. The problem is that in addition to generating cheap electricity, coal-fired power plants also release massive amounts of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas linked to global warming.

By replacing a few incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, you have an important role to play in the fight against global warming. Let's work backwards:

          If you replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL light bulbs....
              ....then you'll consume less electricity
                  .....then less coal-based power will have to be generated to meet your demand
                       ....then less coal will be burned
                           ....then less greenhouse gas will be released into the atmosphere

Did You Know?
The energy used in the average home can be responsible for more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions of the average car. When you use less energy at home, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change.

The story doesn't end with greenhouse gases, however. In addition to releasing carbon dioxide, coal-fired power plants also release the following:

Sulfur Dioxide - the main cause of acid rain
Nitrogen Oxide - causes smog and acid rain
Radioactive pollutants - in fact a coal-fired power plant can release more radioactive pollutants than a properly functioning nuclear power plant

Selecting the CFL That's Right for You

Here are several helpful hints* for selecting the CFL that's right for you:

Matching the right CFL to the right kind of fixture helps ensure that it will perform properly and last a long time. Read the packaging to be sure that the type you choose works for the fixture you have in mind. For example:
- If a light fixture is connected to a dimmer or 3-way switch, select CFLs that are labeled for this use
- For recessed fixtures, it is better to use a 'reflector' CFL versus a standard-shaped bulb.
Choose the color that works best for you. For example, while most CFLs are created with warm colors for your home, you could choose a cooler color for task lighting.
To get a CFL with the right amount of light, choose one that offers the same lumen rating as the light you are replacing. The higher the lumen rating, the greater the light output. Use the table below to see how lumens can generally be compared.

Standard Incandescent Bulb (Watts)	Typical Lumen Output (Measure of Light Output)
40	> 450
60	> 800
75	> 1,100
100	> 1,600
150	> 2,600

* Source - Energy Star

Where to Buy CFLs

As people wake up to the benefits of compact fluorescent light bulbs, they are becoming more widely available in stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Target and Wal-Mart. They are also starting to appear in some grocery stores. If you prefer, they can also be purchased online at online retailers like Amazon.

If you're already using CFLs, please consider contributing a CFL review so that others can learn from your experience and make informed buying decisions.