Compact Fluorescent Bulbs:
Each One Saves you $9/Year

If everyone in the U.S. switched to compact fluorescent bulbs, the energy savings would be like taking one million cars off the road. Or saving 31.7 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year—enough to light 1/3 of the U.S. for a year. Or decommissioning over 40 coal-fired power plants.

Replacing just one bulb per household would save enough energy to light over 3 million home for a year--$600 million worth.

The most efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are those with the Energy Star rating. Place them in fixtures you use a minimum of 15 minutes at a time. Your greatest savings come in fixtures that are on for one hour or more at a time.

How to Select a CFL

Choose an open fixture without a glass or plastic cover, as CFLs do better with air flow.

Use a “reflector CFL” rather than a spiral version in recessed fixtures such as can lights as they focus the light better.

For dimmer or 3 way fixtures, buy a CFL designed for this as they will last much longer.

Pick the proper correlated color temperature (CCT). Most are 2700-3000K bulbs, which emit a warmer light, similar to incandescent bulbs. Choose a 3500-6500K bulb for bright white, natural or daylight hues.

Select the correct amount of light using this chart. For example, you would replace a 60 watt incandescent bulb producing 800 lumens of light with a 13-15 watt compact fluorescent bulb. The bulb package may also give you equivalency information such as “60 Watt Replacement.”

What About Mercury?

Compact fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. As you know, mercury can cause nervous system damage, particularly to fetuses and small children.

Your only danger from CFL bulb mercury is if a bulb breaks AND you do not follow a simple clean up procedure. In weighing the dangers vs. the benefits, consider that most of the mercury to which you and your family are exposed comes from fish. This mercury is a by product of coal fired energy plants. If you use CFLs, you will substantially reduce this toxin from our environment and your diet, as compared to the slight risk of mercury contamination from a broken bulb.

To clean a broken bulb:

1. Open a window before cleaning up, and turn off forced air heat or A/C.
2. Don’t sweep or vacuum (it can spread the mercury). Instead, scoop up the broken glass and powder, then pick up any residue with sticky tape. Finally, wipe with a wet wipe or wet paper towel.
3. Place all refuse in a plastic bag, seal and dispose of it at your local hazardous waste center. Locate one near you. If this is not an option, place the refuse in your outdoor garbage can.
4. Wash your hands.
5. The next time you vacuum in the area of the spill, turn off your forced air heat system or A/C while vacuuming, and throw away the vacuum bag in your outdoor garbage can after you vacuum.

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