Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs to Save Money and Energy

By: James Allen
Submitted: 2007-04-27 22:50:26
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 
 

The fluorescent bulbs of today are a far cry from those loudly buzzing, sterile white tubes seen in offices and hospitals in the 80's. Now available in a wide range of styles and "color temperatures," eco-friendly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are designed for the home and screw into many of the medium socket and candelabra lamps sold on our site. Use them in ceiling fixtures, sconces, chandeliers and other light fixtures.

Very simply put, CFLs generate light when electrons from the bulb's ballast collide with mercury vapor throughout the bulb's length, which in turn stimulates a phosphor coating on the inside of the glass. The result is a steady luminescence that is also incredibly energy-efficient, because more energy is spent on producing light (measured in lumens) and less is wasted on producing heat! This is why CFLs stay cooler to the touch than an incandescent bulb, and why a low-watt CFL brightens a room with the same intensity of a high watt incandescent bulb. Incandescent bulbs and their CFL equivalent are as follows:

60 Watts=13-18 Watts CFL

75 Watts=18-22 Watts CFL

100 Watts=23-28 Watts CFL

150 Watts=30-38 Watts CFL

But it gets even better! Because compact fluorescent lamps use about 66% less energy than incandescent bulbs for the same amount of light, you can save up to $45 dollars a year when you choose an 18 watt CFL over a 75 watt incandescent bulb. Within the first 500 hours of use, your bulb has made up for it's initially higher price. What's more, compact fluorescent bulbs last an average of 10 to 15 times longer than a standard filament bulb, putting an end to chronic bulb replacement and halting the surge of burnt out bulbs entering our landfills. And since CFL's expend less energy, there is less demand on electric power plants that burn polluting fossil fuels. Amazingly, swapping out ONE incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep half a ton of CO2 out of the air for the CFL's lifetime! You can make a positive impact on the environment simply by screwing in a CFL.

Once a CFL is spent, it's legal to throw it in the trash; however, these energy-efficient bulbs do contain trace amounts of mercury vapor. If they are sent to an incinerator, this mercury could enter the atmosphere. Instead, collect your CFLs for your community household hazardous waste collection for treatment and recycling; if a bulb breaks, take care not to inhale the vapor and promptly wipe up pieces with a wet rag. Toss everything, including the rag, into a plastic bag for proper disposal. It's important to note that the overall benefits of a CFL's energy-saving operation far outweigh any risk trace amounts of mercury vapor in the bulb may pose to landfills.

For a HUGE selection of lighting including pendant lights, wall sconces, floor lamps, and chandeliers, visit the Eco-Lights.com today.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Home Improvement category

  • Kitchen Remodeling Brooklyn - Revamp the Look of Your Kitchen at Affordable Rates - By: James Peligrino
    Kitchen remodeling design allows you to revamp the old look of your kitchen and create more space in it without shelling out huge bucks.
  • Guarding Your Valuables: Keeping Your Family Safe - By: April Walters
    Keeping your family safe can be easy if you follow these fire prevention steps. A few adjustments can not only protect your possessions but it can potentially save lives.
  • Photo Enlargement on Canvas delivers breathtaking quality photo canvas - By: Sonarish web
    If you are struggling to find out terrific personalized photo canvas gifts for your family or looking for an alternative to promote your product or service, the best option that suits both as a personalized photo gift and promotional product can be none other than photo canvas enlargement.
  • Judging a Cabinet's Craftsmanship - By: Dennis White
    When picking a kitchen cabinet that is made of wood, it is important to consider the overall look of your kitchen. Would traditional custom kitchen cabinets blend more perfectly with modern kitchen setups as opposed to something more contemporary?
  • Air Duct Cleaning - Air Quality Quiz - By: Elizabeth K
    How is the air in your home? If you are like most people you probably think it is fine but chances are you are sadly mistaken.
  • Kitchen Cabinets Brooklyn for More Storage and Enhanced Look of Your Kitchen - By: James Peligrino
    Kitchen cabinets Brooklyn is a great way to change the face of your kitchen and create storage in it at the same time.
  • Prevent Pinhole Leaks, Slab Leaks and Conserve Energy by Controlling Your Hot Water Circulation Pump - By: Mark Franklin
    Pinhole leaks in hot water recirculation lines are very common. Take preventive measures to dramatically reduce or even eliminate the leaks and protect yourself from the potential damage and expensive repairs caused by leaky hot water pipes.
  • Be Your Own Culinary Coordinator - By: Justin Lee
    Realizing that something was amiss with her new kitchen, my friend hired a Culinary Coordinator at a consulting rate of $75 an hour (apparently a bargain) to help organize her cupboards. Here is a summary of her three hour consultation:
  • Importance Of A Sump Pump In Your Basement - By: Jonathon Lester
    A sump pump prevents water flooding in your basement. Since the basement of a house is built under ground, when the soil of the ground gets saturated with rain water it can leak into the basement. And leaking in the basement can cause an enormous amount of damage. Most basements have a sump pit that is designed to collect water that leaks in. The sump pump is specially designed to remove this water accumulation from your basement without incident.
  • Use Your Air Conditioning More Efficiently - By: April Walters
    Many people don't know that with a few adjustments lowering your energy is easy. This article provides simple tips to help you go green with your air conditioner but still stay cool.