Compact Fluorescent Lamps, better known as CFLs use 1/3 less energy, making them four times more energy efficient and they last ten times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. However, there are many issues that surround these light bulbs other than just their energy efficiency.

The Good

Its a simple change that anyone can do. Lighting accounts for 20-25% the average households energy budget. If everyone replaced just one incandescent with a CFL in their home in one year it would save enough energy to power 2.5-3 million homes. It would also prevent the emission of green house gases equivalent to that of about 800,000 cars.

They pay for themselves in the end. Sure they might be more expensive initially, however because they last longer and are more energy efficient they are less expensive to run than incandescent bulbs.

Here is an example of a Life-costing Cycle Table (Bare with me, I couldn't insert a table)

Incandescent (cost -1.25) (Watts- 60) (hours burned per week- 42) (kWh per week- 2.53) (cost per kWh- .10) (Cost per week- .25) (Cost per year- 13.15)

CFL (cost- 19.97) (Watts - 13) (hours burned per week- 42) (kWh
per week-.546) (cost per kWh -.10) (Cost per week -.05) (Cost per year- 2.60)

They reduce air and water pollution. If everyone use energy efficient lighting, we could get rid of 90 average sized power plants. In saving electricity we are reducing C02 emissions, sulfur oxide, and high level nuclear waste. They also do not emit heat as incandescents do which can save in cooling costs in the summer.

CFLs produce a higher quality of light. CFLs produce a soft white light versus the yellow light of an incandescent. When a CFL is turned on, it often takes a few minutes to warm up and reach full brightness. However, the shades of white can vary depending on the correlated color temperature (CCT) which is measured in kelvin (K).
Lower kelvin numbers mean the light has a warmer color, while high kelvin numbers mean a cooler color. Most CFLs available in the store range from 2700K-3000K which one could compare to incandescent bulbs. CFLs are available in high kelvin temperatures that emit a more white to bluish-white light. These bulbs are often identified by the terms "bright white," "natural," or "daylight." Lower kelvin color temperature enhance warm colors found in your home, while higher kelvin color temperature enhance cooler colors.

CFLs can be used almost anywhere in your home in replace of an incandescent bulb. To get the most energy savings use them in rooms or fixtures where they will be used the most such as the kitchen, hallway, family and living room, dining room, porch, and even bathroom (although humidity can reduce the bulbs light).
They can be used in lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures, and porch lights.Make sure that the CFL is right for the fixture by reading any restrictions or instructions on the package. Some CFLs even work with dimmers. Use CFLs only in places where the light will be turned on for at least 15-30 minutes. Turning them on and off frequently will reduce their life.

They provide better contrast lighting which reduces eye strain during reading.

When Buying a CFL:

Choose the right temperature according to what it will be used for.

Choose the right shape to fit the fixture.There are also many models of CFLs including spiral, triple tube, standard, globe, flood, and candelabra. Match the shape of bulb according to its use.

Match lumen's (comparable watt) to the incandescent it is replacing.

Incandescent Watts 40, 60, 75, 100, 150

CFL Watt range 8-10, 13-18, 18-22, 23-28, 34-42

Lumen Range 450, 890, 1210, 1750, 2780

The Bad

On/Off Cycling - The longer the light is left on, the longer it will last. CFLs should not be used in fixtures that are frequently turned off and on because it will shorten the life of it. For this reason, CFLs should not be used in closets.

Dimmers - CFLs are available for dimmers but make sure to check the package because not all CFLs can be used with dimmers. Using a regular CFL with a dimmer with reduce its life span.

Timers - Most CFLs can be used with a timer, however you must check all parts of the timer to make sure that your CFL is compatible. Using an incompatible timer will reduce its life span.

Outdoors - When used outdoors CFLs should be covered or shaded. In addition, low temperatures may reduce light levels, check the package to see if the bulb can be used outdoors. Make sure to use enclosed fixtures, especially in areas where the temperatures can get below freezing, and wind chill can be high.

Spotlights - CFLs are better for area lighting and should not be used when a narrow focus beam is needed.

Mercury - CFLs DO contain Mercury. However, no mercury is emitted when the bulb is intact or in use, only if the bulb is broken. They only contain an average of 4-5 mg of the toxic metal that is commonly associated with water, fish, and food supply contamination. This amount of mercury is 1/5 of that found in the average battery watch, and less than 1/100th of that found in an amalgam dental or "silver" filling. In addition, mercury based fever thermometers contain about 500 mg of mercury. In order to get that amount of mercury with CFLs, you would need about 125 of them.
Mercury is an essential part of CFLs because allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. Most manufactures have reduced the amount of mercury in their bulbs, some to as little as 1.4-2.5 mg per light bulb. In order to keep this mercury from leeching into soil, water, or into our homes they must be properly disposed of.

Poper Disposale - Although it is legal in most states to put a CFL in the garbage, one should try to properly recycle it because throwing it in the garbage can cause the glass bulb to break and emit mercury. (Although it will cause less environmental damage in a landfill, CFLs should not be placed in trash that will go to an incinerator.)
Some recycling plants take CFLs and some do not. Be sure not to put it out with your regular recycling. Try contacting your local waste agency or visit these sites. You can also save them for your areas hazardous waste collection.

www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling
www.earth911.org

You can also drop off CFLs at Home Depot and Ikea stores. The EPA is also trying to work with Wal-Mart to accept them as well.

If a CFL happens to break there are strict policies that should be used. http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/...

Look for a blog about LEDs coming soon!

Share