We all need lighting.  We all make choices about the bulbs and fixtures we buy.  Going with the bulbs we know is easy and convenient, and we don't have time to research all of the options.   Moreover, those compact fluorescent bulbs (CFBs) are more expensive, they don't last as long as we've been told, and they contain mercury and are worse for the environment than incandescents.  They put off a light that is 'too white' and they don't turn on instantly. Finally, you don't really save that much anyway.  Right?

WRONG.

Here are the facts:

CFBs can consume as much as 75% less electricity compared to incandescents. (US DOE)

CFBs can last between 3-15 years, depending on the design. That's 6-15 times the expected duration of their incandescent counterparts.

It is true that CFBs contain mercury, and they should be disposed of according to local law.  However, the manufacture, use and disposal of incandescents is in fact produces much more carbon than the use of CFBs.  The production of the excess energy used by incandescents produces more mercury than would be found in the CFBs.  Recycling is an option, and in California, mandatory.   Ikea retail stores offer CFB recycling, and they can also be recycled at Lamp Recycling.  The idea at Lamp Recycling is that you order the packaging, they send it, you ship it.  Not sure how this cuts into your cost, or how many addition pounds of CO2 the shipping (via FedEx) adds to the use of CFBs.  Far better to look for local solutions, no doubt!

Yes, CFBs are, per bulb, more expensive (ca. 3-10 times as much), but prices continue to drop, and retailers are diversifying their packaging options.  Home Depot offers them by the case.  A case of CFBs also make a very thoughtful house warming gift!!!

CFBs operate just like regular incandescent bulbs, and the newer bulbs are 'instant on'.  Some manufacturers have experimented with the coating, adding more red to the spectrum, providing a light that is more yellowish, similar to incandescents.

How much you will save by switching to CFBs depends on your patterns of use.  Throughout all of these articles, you'll learn that the key to spending way less on your living usually involves compounding factors... a change in the product you choose to use, and minor changes in your daily consumption habits.  Like turning the lights off in a room when you leave.  The overall effect of making a few minor adjustments, every month, will amount to a significant decrease in your household's operating budget.

My Personal Experiences.

When we moved into our home, all of the lights were incandescent.  I recall standing outside of the house, watching the meter reader spins like an old 45.  In my mind, and in reality, the spinning was measuring the amount of money burning.

House Lamps and Closet Lights.  Which wattage to buy?

Light is measured in bulbs by lumens, but it's easier to relate to the packaging based on their equivalents.  To save money, we used to use 60w incandescent bulbs in our room lamps.  All of the incandescents in our home have been replaced by CFBs with 75w equivalent.  For less money, we have more light.

The rate of return on closet lights is slower than other lights because they receive less use.  In general, the more use a light receives, the faster the rate of return.  We replaced our closet lights with 60w equivalents.  An added benefit is because they do not get hot, CFBs pose lower risk of fire than incandescents when used in closets.  Never pile belonging up so high on a closet shelf that anything touches your closet bulb.

Canister Lights and Garage Bare Bulbs 

I recently replaced all of the canister lights in the basement, and the garage,with Feit Electric 11w globes.  These bulbs are much bigger than regular bulbs, and the fluorescent element is enclosed in a large frosted globe, leading to a light much brighter than the small spirals CFBs I original used in these spaces.  I found them online for $6.95 each  at Hardware World, and for $5.50 at both BlackEnergy.org EnergyFederation.org.

Ceiling Fans, Bathroom Vanity and Chandalier Bulbs.

I found a ceiling fan that uses fluorescent bulbs at iwantcleanair.org and TCP 5w Cold Cathode Flame Tip chandalier light bulbs at EnergyFederation.org.  I also found a 3 Watt COLD CATHODE FLAME TIP bulb for $10.00 each at Bowman Lamps.  We have a light in our stairwell, a chandelier in the music room, and a kitchen ceiling fan.  I'm waiting to replace the kitchen ceiling fan (springtime) before I order any chandelier bulbs.  I will update this article when they arrive.

A Big, Offending Watthog: Halogen Torch Floor Lamps.

Torch floor lamps become popular in the 1990s.  Unfortunately, they were designed to use  150 to 300 (!!!) watt halogen bulbs.  I replaced my watt hog with a fluorescent torch lamp (Good Earth Antique Brass Tuscany Torchiere (G6526-AB-I) from BlackEnergy.com.).  It has two settings (low and high) and provides MORE LIGHT.  Unlike my old watthog, this torchiere also does not turn itself off automatically because it never gets hot.

"Halogen torchieres typically consume 300 watts of electricity, the lamps get as hot as 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and if used 4 hours each day at $0.08/kWh the annual operating cost will be $43.00. This compact fluorescent torchiere uses 63 watts of electricity, the lamp runs at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and if used for 4 hours per day the annual operating cost will be $7.36." -  Energy Federation Incorporated.

Caution. 

CFBs typically should not be used in fully enclosed lighting, such as ceiling recess lighting.  Special reflector bulbs are available for such use.  One promising option is the 13W Compact Fluorescent Downlight offered online by All-Lights, available as flood or spot, and suitable for indoor recessed lights or outdoor flood lighting  . They should also not be used with dimming light switches, unless they are specifically labeled 'dimmable'.  GE even offers an outdoor flood light, the "GE Energy Smart™ Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulb".  The least expensive I found (single unit) on the web was at Bulb America, similarly priced at Ace Hardware. Sam's Club sells the same bulb as a 3-pack for, per bulb, slightly less (GE White 15 Dimmable Compact Fluorescent - 3 pk).  The annual estimated savings (per ea. of these bulbs) is $22.  Top Bulb has a dimmable for  (15W COMPACT FLUORESCENT 6500K) (over $20 each, yikes!)  I will be ordering four flood lights in January from the other online retailers, and expect to save up to $88/yr, depending on use.  For our outdoor floods, we found a 3-Pack GE 90 Watt Equivalent Indoor/Outdoor Floodlight at Amazon.com for $26 including shipping.

UPDATE: Jan 1, 2008.  For our two indoor floods, we decided to go alternatively, with 2 dimmable LED flood lights (2.5 watts), available at EarthTechProducts.com for $49.95 each.  LED lights can last 20 years, so we hope these save a lot.  At 2.5 watts, that seems to be a reasonable expectation! {Read the  LGLW Blog Fluorescent vs. LED Comparison: Flood Lights and Buyer's Regret, Jan 6, 2008)

Discount Online Coupons.

Some of the companies mentioned on this page offer online discount coupons for purchases > $100.  Contact them for details. 

Monthly Bill Comparisons.

Check back for our online monthly online report where we provide updated estimates of our savings from each area.

Electric Bill (Dollars, kwh) (Duquesne Light is the sole supplier in our area.  We used to buy power from Green Mountain Energy. Duquesne Light has an effective monopoly over the Allegheny County region, and recently raised their rates.  All the more reason to reduce our consumption!)

	2007	2007	2008	2008
Electric	kwh	dollars	kwh	dollars (at 2007 rates)	savings
Jan	828	99.687	660	80.13	19.557
Feb	888	106.64	648	78.74	27.9
Mar	720	87.1	649	78.85	8.25
Apr	696	84.31	576	70.36	13.95
May	660	80.13	792	95.48	-15.35
Jun	1092	130.37
Jul	1176	140.14
Aug	1596	188.98
Sept	1368	162.47
Oct	1020	121.99
Nov	660	80.13
Dec	672	81.52
	YTD SUM	206.327	3325	403.56	55.707
	SUM	1363.467	3325	403.56

 

Total Estimates Savings in 2008:$____  MW: ____

 
Related Links.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Consumer Guide:  Compact FluorescentLamps

Energy Star: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs.

NPR. CFL Bulbs Have One Hitch: Toxic Mercury. (Elizabeth Shogren)

Last updated May 2, 2008.