Energy Comparison - Incandescent vs. CFL

Here's a statistic that's sure to get your attention. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR light, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars.

Impressive numbers, but what exactly is an Energy Star Light? A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) is one. It is a type of fluorescent lamp and can fit into most existing light fixtures which use standard incandescent bulbs. CFL's provide the same amount of light, but use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Some complain there is a difference in the amount and color of light radiated by CFL's. While CFL's do radiate a different light spectrum, recent improvements make the differences less noticeable.




CFL's cost more than incandescent bulbs, but the extended lifetime and lower energy use will more than compensate for the higher initial cost. According to the EPA, one CFL will save $30 over its lifetime. These bulbs must be handled and disposed of carefully, as they contain a very small amount of mercury. Spent bulbs should never be thrown away with household trash. Instead, they need to be recycled. The Home Depot was the first retailer to offer such a service. You can also check with your local Municipality about recycling options.

This video will help you understand why CFL's will help you save money. A specially designed electric meter operates when either an incandescent or CFL bulb is turned on. You'll be able to clearly see how the spinning meter slows considerably when the CFL bulb is illuminated. It's estimated CFL bulbs use 75% less energy than standard bulbs. That is good for your budget and for our environment.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• energy comparison
• incandescent
• cfl
• compact fluorescent light bulb
• energy star
• epa

[jgfergus]

@WideOfVision

I was talking about integrated CFL's not the non-integrated fluorescent lights that have been around for decades. Integrated (tube & ballest in one unit) cfl's only became mainstream in the last 5 years. I fully agree that cfl's provide energy savings and I use several in my home. It just annoys me when I have to replace one in 6 months when they cost so much. Your rudeness and name calling were totally uncalled for. LED's are the future...I agree!

[WideOfVision]

@jgfergus You know, businesses were using fluorescent lights for decades before they were twisted into small CFLs, thus, proving that companies knew how to save money. I suggest you string 10 of those incandescent lights together and use them as a heater since most of that 1000 watts will be released in heat, not light. What's great about being American is you can advance to any level of stupidity you like, just don't interfere with another persons right not to put up with it.

[noreaga12326]

@WideOfVision And i have incandescents that havent burned out in 2 years. And these are NOT halogens, they're old skool incandescents. im just saying IN GENERAL, that most cfls dont last any longer than a standard bulb. The building at my job as nothing but cfls and i see the maintance ppl replace the bulbs AT LEAST once or twice a week. hey, if u wana have your home looking like the inside of a hospital ER room, go for it. I'm sticking with nicer lights that i get from incandescents

[WideOfVision]

@noreaga12326 : Let's try this again, I have some of the original CFLs and they still work. Some are around 25 years old, heavy and have glass covers instead of plastic, or as they are now, with no cover. I also have LED lights which I expect to last even longer. The CFLs are so efficient I have replaced most of my 4' long shop lights to use CFL because they are cheaper than the tubes... and interestingly enough, also last longer than tubes.

[noreaga12326]

@WideOfVision why dont YOU stfu. The post below is absolutely true. Many CFLs dont last, not even close to what the box tells u. Quit acting childish and get a life, tree hugger

[WideOfVision]

@jgfergus: you are full of shit. I've been using CFL for over 20 years in the house I grew up in after I moved back. I know idiots like you are just clutzes and drop light bulbs and babies and stuff but you shouldn't be carrying babies. And seriously, you could care less about mercury... so STFU.

[jgfergus]

ooops...you forgot to mention the toxic mercury cfl's contain and the fact that they do not last anywhere near what is claimed and they are 10x more expensive than incandescents. I have had many cfl's fail within the first few months after installing them. Not to mention if you break one in your home, you'll need to call the EPA and you'll need to vacate your house until it is cleaned of all the mercury vapor. I'll just stick with my good ol' edison bulbs thank-you.