- use about 75% less energy
- last about 10 times longer,
- give off bright, pleasant light,
- come in lots of shapes and sizes, and
- save about $54 in total costs over the lifetime of each CFL*.
*From the EPA CFL calculator comparing a 60 watt bulb (using today's average 8.52 cents per kWh rate for a Dominion Virginia Power residential customer). Remember to change the rate when using this calculator.
8 comments:
One of the issues I have with my house is the fact that I have quite a few lights on dimmers. Unfortunately most stores do not sell CFL bulbs that will work on a dimmer switch. I did locate a store online and was able to purchase the dimmable CFL bulbs and they work great. They are more expensive than a standard CFL, but over the course of the life of the bulb, I believe you will still end up saving a significant amount of money. Please check them out at the online store - or look for other places online or in your local area to purchase them as an alternative to just letting your current standard light bulbs go on wasting energy!
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Dimmable-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulbs/
It may be helpful to note that CFLs contain mercury. See documentation at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7431198
or at:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp
It is helpful to note that CFLs contain mercury. The mercury is an essential part of the CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an energy-efficiency light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. Folks should handle CFLs with care and follow proper disposal and recycling procedures. For another source of CFL and Mercury, check out the Environmental Protection Agency site on this topic.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf
This is a gotta watch !
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg
I have some 80 some standard CFLs in my house, and I am finding that the lights in bathrooms which go on and off frequently, burn out w/i one year.
Do you have a suggestion as to what type of CFL is better suited to frequent switching?
Even when turned on and off frequently, a CFL uses less energy than its incandescent equivalent. However, turning a CFL on and off frequently will also shorten its life. Because of this, ENERGY STAR recommends that consumers use CFLs in applications where they are on for at least 15 minutes. This is where CFLs have the biggest impact. On ENERGY STAR's website, it is recommended to use globe-shaped CFL bulbs for a bathroom vanity.
Please, Dominion, state in your monthly newsletters that are inserted with bills (and I assume included in online bills as well) that consumers must dispose of CFL bulbs properly because of the mercury. This would be just one more sentence in your publications, but another big step in terms of environmental responsibility.
Look for a statement in one of your upcoming bills regarding the proper disposal of CFLs.
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