Reduce energy costs with Compact Flurorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
Changing some of the light bulbs in your home from traditional (incandescent) to compact fluorescents (CFLs) will reduce the amount of electricity you use and lower your electric bill. While CFLs cost more to purchase, they use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and will last ten times longer. So, you easily get your money back. Save your receipts in case you need to return it to the retailer if your ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulb stops working within the warranty period (2 years).
To maximize the energy benefit of CFLs, use them in light fixtures that are on for several hours per day or at least 15 minutes at a time. You can use CFLs inside and outside of your home. (Check the package to make sure the bulb is designed for outdoor use.) CFLs work best in fixtures that are open, which allow for airflow. Such fixtures include floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, wall sconces and outdoor fixtures. A type of CFL called a “Reflector CFL” c
an be used in enclosed fixtures (e.g., recessed fixtures).
CFLs can be used with motion sensors, timers and occupancy sensors. There are also some CFLs available that can be used with dimmer switches. Their long-life makes them good choices for hard-to-reach areas. You won’t have to pull out that ladder again for a long time!
CFLs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you should be able to find one to fit your fixture. Bring your existing bulb with you to the store so you can compare its size to the CFL bulbs at the store.
You may have heard that CFLs contain mercury. They do contain a very small amount within the tubing of the bulb, about 4 milligrams or less. Compare this to the older thermometers, which contained 500 milligrams. Mercury is not released unless the bulbs are broken.
If a CFL breaks in your home, follow the EPA clean-up recommendations.
1. Air out the Room: Open a window and have everyone leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to turn off your central forced-air heating/air-conditioning system. You can also place fans in the windows to blow the air out of the room. If the room doesn’t have any windows, then open all doors to the room and open the windows in any adjacent rooms. Fans can be used to move the air out of the room and to open windows in adjacent rooms.
2. Cleaning-up Hard Surfaces: Wearing disposable gloves (if possible), use stiff paper or cardboard to scoop up larger glass fragments and powder and place debris in a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape (or something similar) to pick up remaining glass pieces and powder. The area should be wiped clean with damp paper towels. Dispose of the paper towels in a glass jar/plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the area.
3. Cleaning-up Carpeting/Rugs: Pick up larger glass fragments (carefully) and place in glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape (or something similar) to pick up remaining glass pieces and powder. If you do need to use a vacuum to clean the area, then remove the vacuum bag or empty and wipe the canister and put the debris in a sealable plastic bag. In the future, for the next several times you vacuum the area, turn off your central forced-air heating/air-conditioning system while vacuuming and leave it off for at least 15 minutes with the window open after you have finished.
4. Cleaning-up Clothing, Bedding, etc.: Unfortunately, any clothing or bedding that comes in contact with the broken glass or powder needs to be thrown away. Washing the clothing or bedding is not an option since the mercury fragments could contaminate your washing machine and possibly pollute the sewage. Clothing worn just for the clean up can be washed, as long as you didn’t get any glass or powder on them. Use damp paper towels to clean your shoes and place the towels in a glass jar or sealable plastic bag.
5. Disposing Clean-up Materials: Bring the glass jars or plastic bags containing the debris and paper towels outside. If your state allows trash disposal, then put the jars/plastic bags in the trash. Otherwise bring the debris to the specified recycling center. Don’t forget to wash your hands after putting the materials in the trash.
CFLs can replace incandescent bulbs in almost any light fixture. So, decide which lighting fixtures would be appropriate for CFLs, purchase the right type of CFL and start reducing your energy bills!