How to Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Will  Save You Money

In case you hadn’t noticed, the “Green Movement“ is growing stronger and stronger. More and more people have come to realize that as individuals, we need  to do something about the growing pollution problem, and the time to start is now.

Despite all  the media hype, many people think it’s too hard a job to "go green".  In fact, there are literally thousands of easy ways to "go green". One of the most cost efficient and easiest ways to go green is to switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s).  

Early Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

It is not commonly known that Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs have been around since the 1800’s. In the 1970’s General Electric came up with an improved design, but discovered  it was way too expensive to build factories to mass produce the bulbs.  The use of these bulbs was generally limited to office buildings, garages and under the kitchen cabinets.

Additionally,  the light they gave off was not of the quality we expected from a traditional incandescent light bulb. The shape of the bulbs also restricted their use to a fixture that would allow the use of a long tubular bulb. They could not be easily used in table, desk or floor lamps.

Another factor that limited their use was that they often flickered and made an annoying humming noise.

The Pros of Compact Fluorescent Lamp, (CFL’S)

More recently, that has all changed. Major improvements in the bulbs, and especially  the development of the electronic ballast eliminated most of the negative features that limited their use  in the past. In an effort to reduce pollution, traditional light bulbs are being banned, and manufacturers will be coming out with more and more different types of CFL’s to meet different applications.

Listed here are some of the positive features of CFL's:

• CFL’s have shapes that fit nearly all types of light fixtures.
• The light they give off  has significantly improve and is nearly equal to traditional light bulbs.
• They use 75-80% less electricity then traditional light bulbs.  
• A 13-15w CFL bulb replaces a 60w standard bulb and gives the same amount of light.
• A typical light bulb only lasts one tenth of the time than a CFL. . The average life of a CFL is 10,000 hours compared to less than 1,000 hours for a standard bulb.
• By using the Compact Fluorescent type bulbs,  you will be keeping an estimated half ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere during the expected life span of the bulb.
• The CFL bulb is cooler to touch, so is easier to change after it has been lit.
• For each CFL light bulb you use, you will be keeping eight less incandescent bulbs out of the landfills.
• CFL’s now come in many designs and can be used for many different applications.
• Since come utility companies offer discounts for CFL's, you may be able to save money on your electric bills.

The Cons of CFL's

As with many other things there is a negative side to CFL's

• CFL’s cost more initially.
• CFL’s do not work well in places where the light is switched on and off frequently.  The life span of the bulb is reduced in these situations.
• Dimmer switches require the use of special bulbs. Not all CFL’s can be used in dimmer switches.
• CFL's used in dimmer switches do not last as long
• Some timer mechanisms cannot be used with CFL’s.
• CFL's are suitable for outdoor use.  Low temperatures can reduce light levels.
• CFL’s contain a small amount of mercury which is toxic.  Mercury vapor can be released if the bulb is broken.  
• Bulbs of inferior quality are showing up on the store shelves and may not be of high quality and will not last as long.

Putting aside the  negatives, CFL’s have become extremely popular in the last several years.
Replacing a single 60 watt standard bulb with a 15-w CFL can save you more than $40 in electricity costs over the life of the bulb if used 6 hours a day. Add to that fewer trips to the store, and less money spent on replacement bulbs, the savings can be significant.

Multiply that times the number of light bulbs you have in your home and you could realize a significant savings in both money and energy consumption.

There are some states requiring that burned out CFL’s be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility (the preferred method of disposal) while most municipalities allow them to be disposed of in regular trash. Stores such as Home Depot and Ikea have made it easy to  recycle CFL’s.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs should never be incinerated as it will disperse the mercury into the atmosphere.  

Conclusion

It has become very evident that the benefits of CFL’s in terms of the amount of energy saved and the amount of green house gasses that are not being pumped into the atmosphere are significant . If everyone in the US used CFL’s we could retire 90 average size power plants.  Australia and Canada have already banned the use of incandescent bulbs in an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses,.  The U.S. has also passed legislation that will phase out the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs and will ban them entirely by the year 2012.

Replacing energy-hogging incandescent bulbs with energy-saving fluorescents (CFLs) is a simple, effective way to slow the rate of global climate change while saving money.  It's good for the environment, it's economical, it's efficient, and it's easy to do.


Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer who cares deeply about the enviroment.  More of her articles can be read on her website, http://pollutionwebsite.com.  For a free report, on simple steps to take to reduce pollution, sign up for a free report today!