Compact Fluorescents (CFL)

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a great way to save energy in your home. Designed to directly replace incandescent lamps, they bring us all the best features of fluorescents lamps --longer life, lower operating costs, and less heat gain.

Ones made for home use range from 5-to-28 watts, and have a brightness and color rendition comparable to 25-to-100-watt incandescent lamps. And while they cost a little more to buy, they quickly return that money through lower monthly utility bills. In addition to these savings, they last almost 10 times longer than standard incandescent lamps and give off one-quarter as much heat.

Types

Compact fluorescents are evolving to fit almost any lighting situation. They began as large circular tubes and have grown increasingly more compact and capable. If expense is the major concern, this compact fluorescent simply turns on and off, and sells for just $4.

Think they are too bulky for your chandelier? Think again. This 9-watt model is hard to distinguish from an incandescent and costs about $7.

This 23-watt compact fluorescent offers the possibility of even greater energy savings by being “dimmable.” It works in any fixture controlled by a standard rotary or slide-style dimming switch and costs about $15. Be sure to use only dimmable bulbs on dimmer switches.

Like the flexibility of 3-way lights? This compact fluorescent is designed for table and floor lamp applications. Its 12/29/18 watts of power provide the equivalent light of 30/100/70 watt standard incandescent light and costs less the $15. Standard compact fluorescents can be used in 3-way sockets, but will only operate in the second and third positions at one light level.

Encapsulated lamps are designed for use in open style fixtures such as pendants, chandeliers and fixtures with a clear glass lens where the bulb can be seen. This 15-watt encapsulated compact fluorescent has equivalent light output to a 60-watt incandescent, will fit most lamps, costs less than $10 and will last about 10,000 hours—4 to 5 years.

Advantages of Compact Fluorescents

Compact fluorescents have the following three advantages over incandescent light bulbs when used properly:

•  They last up to 10 times longer,

•  They use 1/4 to 1/3 the energy, and

•  They produce about 80% less heat, while producing more light.

The ten times longer life means you won't have to change the lamp nearly as often as an incandescent. So while you may pay more for the lamp, you only buy one in 5 to 10 years, and avoid the inconvenience of shopping for replacements and making the changes as lamps burn out.

The fact that they use a fraction of the energy an incandescent is the reason they reduce your monthly electric bills. And, because they produce a small fraction of the heat of an incandescent, they are more comfortable to work around and save on air conditioning costs.

Buying Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Buying compact fluorescents isn't the trick it used to be when they were not so common. Today, they are plentiful in most grocery and home improvement stores. To select the right lamp for your application, check the wattage of the incandescent you are replacing. This table will give you a feel for what wattage compact fluorescent you will need to provide the same light output.

Since you won't have the table with you when you shop, remember this rule of thumb: a 3:1 ratio of incandescent to compact fluorescent wattage provides about the same light. Another approach is to read the lamp packages. Find the wattage incandescent lamp you would normally buy. Read the “lumen output” on the label. (Lumen is the measure of the lamp's light output.) Knowing that number, find a compact fluorescent labeled as producing about that many lumens. This method should assure you'll end up with a lamp that meets your lighting needs and saves you money.

Light Output Equivalency Table

To order the right size compact fluorescent bulb, simply compare its measurements to the widest portion and the complete height (including the base or pin) of your existing bulb. Pay special attention to the measurement of the narrowest portion of your existing fixture, such as the narrow portion of the harp in a table lamp.

Recycling

Recycling continues to grow in popularity and recover much needed resources such as glass and metal to produce the products of tomorrow. While compact fluorescents are fast becoming the most popular form of efficient residential lighting, they are also starting to be seen in our landfills.

Recycling of compact fluorescent lamps is a great way to carry on the idea of selecting the most efficient product and saving our natural resources. These lamps are made up of glass, plastic, metals, and a very small amount of mercury, so it’s best to handle them the same way you would dispose of other household hazardous waste products like paint or batteries. Like disposal of other hazardous material, compact fluorescents should never be incinerated. And, it’s a good idea to seal lamps it in a plastic bag to contain the pieces when they break. While most states and communities do not require recycling of compact fluorescents, check with your community recycling center or local government to take advantage of your recycling options. To research disposal laws and recycling programs available in your area, visit www.lamprecycle.org/ .