Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)
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Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL): Switching from traditional light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lights is an easy change everyone in Burbank can make. Lighting accounts for close to 20% of the average home’s electric bill.
CFLs are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. They screw into standard lamp sockets, and give off light that looks just like the common incandescent bulb.
Incandescent Light Bulbs are Going Away
At the end of 2007, Congress passed an Energy Bill that will phase out incandescent light bulbs by January 2014. Taking the place of incandescent light bulbs will be compact fluorescents, halogens and LEDs. Under the measure, all light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy than today’s products by 2012 to 2014. The phase-in will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient. The United States is not alone in this action. With its incandescent ban beginning in 2009, Ireland will be the first country to take specific steps toward implementing a European Union pledge to switch to energy-efficient lighting. Australia has announced it would phase out incandescent light bulbs and Greenpeace has asked India to follow Australia’s lead. Additionally, over the next ten years, China has agreed to phase out incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient ones.
Efficient: CFLs are four times more energy efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. A 22 watt CFL has about the same light output as a 100 watt incandescent. CFLs use 50 - 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Less Expensive: Although initially more expensive, you save money in the long run because CFLs use 1/4 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescents. A single 18 watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 570 kWh over its lifetime. At 13 cents per kWh, that equates to over $74 in savings .
Reduces Pollution: When you use less energy at home, you lessen greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere. If every home in America completely replaced the five light fixtures they use most with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, we would collectively prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 10 million cars.
High-Quality Light: Newer CFLs give a warm, inviting light instead of the "cool white" light of older fluorescents. They use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. New electronically ballasted CFLs don't flicker or hum.
Versatile: CFLs can be applied nearly anywhere that incandescent lights are used. Energy-efficient CFLs can be used in recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porch lights. Three-way CFLs are also now available for lamps with 3-way settings. Dimmable CFLs are also available for lights using a dimmer switch.
CFLs come in many shapes and sizes. When purchasing CFLs, consult the seller for recommendations and consider the following:
- Look for ENERGY STAR
Earning the Government's ENERGY STAR label means CFLs:
√ Use 1/4 the energy of traditional lighting.
√ Save money on energy bills and bulb replacements, with bulbs that must last at least 10,000 hours (about seven years of regular use).
√ Distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures.
√ Come in hundreds of decorative styles including portable fixtures — such as table, desk and floor lamps — and hard-wired options such as front porch, dining room, kitchen ceiling and under-cabinet, hallway ceiling and wall, bathroom vanity fixtures, and more
√ Deliver convenient features such as dimming on some indoor models and automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors on outdoor models.
√ Can be found at most home centers, lighting showrooms, and specialty stores.
√ Carry a two year warranty — double the industry standard.
- Choose the color temperature that’s right for you; for example:
Approximately 2700K = Warm White (looks just like incandescent)
Approximately 5000K = Cool White (white/blue cool color)
- Choose the shape. CFLs are available in a variety of shapes to fit a range of lamps and lighting fixtures. See MODELS below for the most popular CFL shapes.
- Match lumens to the incandescent being replaced. Lumens indicate the amount of light being generated. (Watts is a measure of energy use, not light strength.) To compare lumens and watts see chart below:
|
Incandescent Light bulbs |
CFL Range |
|||
|
Watts |
Watts |
Lumens | ||
|
40 60 75 100 150 |
9 13 18 23 30 |
– – – – – |
13 15 25 30 52 |
450 800 1,100 1,600 2,600 |
- For more suggestions on selecting the right CFL visit Energy Star.
CFLs are available in a variety of styles and shapes. Some have two, four, or six tubes. Some CFLs have the tubes and ballast permanently connected. This allows you to change the tubes without changing the ballast. Others have circular or spiral-shaped tubes. In general, the size or total surface area of the tube determines how much light the bulb produces.
The following CFL bulb models come with standard sockets for easy installation in most common household applications.
Spiral Lamps
These bulbs are designed as a continuous tube in a spiral shape which has similar outside shape and light casting qualities to a standard incandescent bulb. Spiral CFL bulbs are made in several sizes to fit most common fixtures.Triple Tube Lamps
These CFLs have more tubing in a smaller area, which generates even more light in a shorter bulb. They pack high light output into a very small space and can be used in fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs, such as table lamps, reading lamps, open hanging lamps, and bare bulb applications.
Standard Lamps
These are spiral lamps with a dome cover. They are designed to give the appearance of the traditional light bulb for consumers looking for the more familiar light bulb appearance. The glass diffuser provides a quality of light similar to the 'soft-white' type of incandescent bulbs.Globe Lamps
This shape is commonly used in bathroom vanity mirrors or open hanging lamps, and bare bulb applications. Bathroom vanities usually require multiple bulbs, which generate radiant heat. The CFL globe will reduce this heat buildup while saving energy. The glass diffuser provides a soft-white light.
Flood Lamps
These lamps are designed to be ideal for recessed and track lighting fixtures, indoors and outdoors. They provide diffused, soft, white light, and generate less heat than will an incandescent flood or a halogen bulb.Candelabra
The screw-in torpedo-shape and the small-base of this bulb is designed for smaller light fixtures throughout the house, from chandeliers to sconces. To use a smaller candelabra-based bulb in a regular socket, you can use a socket reducer, available at many hardware stores and home improvement centers.
Although CFLs are an excellent source of energy-efficient lighting, they are not always the best choice for all lighting applications. Here are a few limitations to consider:
- On/Off cycling: CFLs are sensitive to frequent on/off cycling. Their rated lifetimes of 10,000 hours are reduced in applications where the light is switched on and off very often. Closets and other places where lights are needed for brief illumination are not good places to put CFLs.
- Dimmers: Dimmable CFLs are available for lights using a dimmer switch, but check the package; not all CFLs can be used on dimmer switches. Using a regular CFL with a dimmer can shorten the bulb life span.
- Timers: Most CFLs can be used with a timer, however some timers have parts which are incompatible with CFLs; to check your timer, consult the timer package or manufacturer. Using an incompatible timer can shorten the life of a CFL bulb.
- Outdoors: CFLs can be used outdoors, but should be covered or shaded from the elements. Low temperatures may reduce light levels - check the package label to see if the bulb is suited for outdoor use.
- Retail lighting: CFLs are not spot lights. Retail store display lighting usually requires narrow focus beams for stronger spot lighting. CFLs are better for area lighting.
- Mercury content: CFLs contain small amounts of mercury which is a toxic metal. This metal may be released if the bulb is broken, or during disposal.
Mercury is a toxic metal. A CFL bulb generally contains an average of 5 mg of mercury (about one-fifth of that found in the average watch battery, and less than 1/100th of the mercury found in an amalgam dental filling). A power plant will emit 10mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time. The net benefit of using the more energy efficient lamp is positive, and this is especially true if the mercury in the fluorescent lamp is kept out of the waste stream when the lamp expires.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are lighting more homes than ever before, and the Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging Americans to use and recycle them safely. Carefully recycling of CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.
For disposal of CFLs, save burned out CFLs for Household Hazardous Waste Roundup (1-888-CLEAN LA), or CFLs to Burbank Recycle Center (818) 238-3900).
What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to present the most up-to-date information for consumers and businesses. Maine's Department of Environmental Protection released a study on February 25, 2008. EPA has conducted an initial review of this study and, as a result of this review, the EPA has updated the CFL cleanup instructions.
Pending the completion of a full review of the Maine study, EPA will determine whether additional changes to the cleanup recommendations are warranted. The EPA plans to conduct its own study on CFLs after thorough review of the Maine study.
