 Compact Fluorescent Lamps -
A Money Saving Bright Idea
The standard incandescent light bulb costs more to operate then to buy—a lot more. A 100-watt incandescent light bulb costs approximately 75 cents to buy and requires at least six dollars for electricity (at 8 cent/kWh) over the bulb's 750-hour life. In comparison, a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), costing anywhere from $7-20, will still save money. How? Compact lamps use a fraction of the electricity to run and last at least 8,000 hours, about 8 to 10 times longer then the cheaper bulb.
While they seem relatively cheap at the checkout counter, incandescent light bulbs use enormous amounts of energy. In fact, only about 10 percent of the electricity is converted into light while the other 90 percent of the electricity becomes waste heat. Unfortunately, the majority of Iowa homes primarily use incandescent lighting, costing individual homeowners hundreds of dollars in wasted energy each year.
CFLs Save Money, Energy and Pollution
CFLs offer a practical, cost effective and energy-efficient alternative to lighting homes. According to the Department of Energy, replacing just 25 percent of the incandescent bulbs in high-use areas with CFLs can cut your lighting costs in half. They are a profitable investment, saving several times their purchase price through reduced electricity bills and fewer replacement bulbs.
The environmental benefits of these lights are dramatic as well. A single 20-watt CFL, for example, puts out the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent light bulb and it will save about 550 kWh over its lifetime. If the electricity is produced from a coal-fired power plant, that savings is equal to 500 pounds of coal that would release 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide and 20 pounds of sulfur dioxide into the air.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps Today
CFL technology has evolved tremendously over the past 20 years. Today, CFL light bulbs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and intensities just like conventional incandescent lighting. They distribute light symmetrically, providing high-quality, warm and inviting light.
There are also several ways to adapt the newer technology to fit older light fixtures. For example, if a compact fluorescent lamp is too tall for a table lamp or standing lamp, use a taller wire harp. If the CFL is too wide, there are special adapters to spread the base of the harp.
New Sub-CFL
Manufacturers have been downsizing CFLs making them better suited for light fixtures originally designed for incandescent light bulbs. A new type of fluorescent bulb, called the subcompact fluorescent (sub-CFL) is the smallest compact available on the market. It was designed to fit into sockets and fixtures that many other compact fluorescent lamps are just too long to fit. In the past, CFLs have had difficulty winning over new customers because of their large size and higher cost. This new sub-CFL is practically the same size as a typical incandescent lamp — just 0.1 inch longer than a 60-watt incandescent lamp. Sub-CFLs are now available at home improvement stores in Iowa, for prices ranging from about $5-7.
Downside of CFLs
While CFLs have many advantages, they are not a perfect technology and there are several things consumers should be aware of. First, it is important never to use CFLs in circuits that have dimmers unless the CFL is specifically designed for that use and few CFLs have that ability. Doing so could lead to a fire hazard. CFLs can, however, be used in 3-way fixtures, but they will only provide one light level.
CFLs can be somewhat heavier then standard light bulbs and this makes some floor and table lamps unstable and liable to tip over. For recessed down lights, spotlights and track lights, some CFLs are too wide at the base to fit into the can or cone. Finding the product that fits may take some trial and error. Socket extenders are available and can help in some situations though they may cause the tip of the lamp extending from the can or cone.
Finally, not all CFLs are the same quality. It is a good idea to shop around or consult a consumer reports style publication before purchasing.
More information and Additional Resources
Some of the information in this article was adapted from www.betterbulbsdirect.com and from the Consumer Guide to Energy Savings, Seventh Edition. Other portions were adapted from the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory web site at www.pnl.gov/cfl.
Additional information on home energy savings can be found in the Home Series: Home Heating and Cooling booklet available on the Iowa Energy Center’s Web site, www.energy.iastate.edu or by calling (515) 294-8819.
The Iowa Energy Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Iowa's energy efficiency and the use of renewable fuels.
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