Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (This article was taken from the Environmental Defense website with permission) How to Pick a Better Bulb Though we call them light bulbs, traditional incandescent bulbs are actually small heaters that give off a little bit of light something you know if you've ever touched a bulb that's been on for a while. These bulbs were technological wonders when they were patented in 1880, but today they are inefficient dinosaurs. They waste energy and money, and they are responsible for millions of tons of global warming pollution. The next generation of light bulbs Fortunately, the next generation of bulbs is here: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) now give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity. Using CFLs puts less strain on the electric grid and saves you money. If every household replaced just three 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, we would reduce as much pollution as if we took 3.5 million cars off the roads! If you were disappointed by CFL bulbs in the last couple years, it's time to try again. The design of the bulbs and quality of light have improved dramatically. Also, though the price of a CFL is higher than traditional bulbs, CFLs save in the long run. They lower your electric bill and last up to 15 times as long as the old-fashioned bulbs. Here's how to make the switch: 1. Start with one bulb. For your first compact fluorescent purchase, buy just one to make sure that it throws the kind of light you want. Light from yesterday's fluorescent lights, common in offices and schools, can seem "cold." Light from CFLs is different and better CFLs can achieve the same kind of lighting you're used to from incandescent bulbs. Look for packages labeled "2700 degrees Kelvin" or "warm-white." 2. Know your watts and lumens. We are used to choosing bulbs by how much electricity they use a 40-watt incandescent bulb is on the dim side and uses less power, and a 100-watt bulb is bright and uses a lot of juice. CFL bulbs have much lower wattage numbers than their incandescent cousins, but don't let that fool you. CFLs provide much more light at a fraction of the wattage of traditional bulbs. Because of this, CFLs are often categorized by lumens. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb gives off, and they are a more accurate way to tell how bright the new bulbs are. Incandescent CFL Lumens Cost Savings CO2 Savings 40W 11-14W > 490 $39-$44 507-572 lbs. 60W 15-19W > 900 $62-$68 806-884 lbs. 75W 20-25W > 1,200 $76-$83 988-1,079 lbs. 100W 26-29W > 1,750 $107-$112 1,391-1,456 lbs. 150W 38-42W > 2,600 $163-$169 2,119-2,197 lbs. Calculations for cost and CO2 savings assume 15,000-hour life for CFL. If you don't want to print this page out, remember this rule of thumb: CFLs use about a quarter of the wattage to produce the same light. So to replace a traditional 60-watt bulb, buy a 15-watt CFL: 60-watt incandescent / 4 = 15 watts. 3. Get the right shape and size. Many stores will let you return a bulb if you find it doesn't fit properly, but keep an eye on two factors to save yourself an extra trip. First, some CFLs have a larger bulb, which can be too big for some lamps. Depending on where you're going to install your CFLs, be sure to know how big the shade is (to know how big a bulb it can accommodate) and whether or not the bulb will show. Many CFLs have a coiled bulb, but there are now versions available that have the same shape and size as an old-fasioned bulb. These newer CFLs aren't available in many stores yet, but you can order them on a number of web sites. One vendor is offering a special discount on these bulbs in support of this campaign. (See the discounted bulb.) Second, most CFLs screw into standard light sockets; however, on some bulbs, the plastic piece above the screw part is slightly wider and might not fit in every lamp. Avoid the modular bases that terminate with pins. 4. Buy Energy Star to save the most energy. The most energy-efficient CFLs carry the Energy Star label, the imprimatur of the government-backed energy efficiency program. 5. Be careful choosing CFLs for a dimmer. There are exceptions to this rule, but the majority of CFLs are not made for dimmers yet. There are a few that already do work, but scrutinize the package to make sure. Look for bulbs labeled "cold-cathode" and be sure the package says "for use in dimmers." Even the bulbs made for dimmers should only be used with sliding dimmer switches, not the round, rotating dimmer switches. 6. Check for indoor or outdoor use. CFLs are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Check the packaging to make sure you get the kind you need. 7. Dispose of your bulbs properly. All compact fluorescents contain trace amounts of mercury. Recycling your burned out bulbs is the best option. Contact your local government (Household Hazardous Waste program) to see if recycling is an option in your area. But don't worry -- changing to a compact fluorescent bulb will result in less mercury being released. Your reduced electricity use means far fewer mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. SPECIAL OFFER In support of this campaign to fight global warming, a bulb retailer is offering a discount on the latest-generation CFL bulb online. Get a CFL at a discount The Sierra Club is a nonprofit member-supported, public interest organization that promotes conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions -- legislative, administrative, legal, and electoral. Up to Top