Standard incandescent light bulbs have been around for many years, but they are inefficient light sources. In fact, incandescent bulbs only produce light equal to about 3-5% of the energy they consume. Most of the rest of the energy is wasted as heat. (You know this if you have ever burned yourself by touching a bulb that was on?) Incandescent bulbs can be fairly described as heaters that happen to give off some light.
Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are a relatively recent innovation that offers both energy savings and cost savings, and many consumers have questions about them Here are answers to three of the most common ones.
What are the advantages of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)?
Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the electric bill for an average home. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. CFLs cost a bit more up front, but they provide an excellent return on investment and a rapid payback. To get a feel for the energy savings from CFLs, consider the following data. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, the energy savings would be enough to light more than 3 million homes. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to that released from about 800,000 cars.
What about the mercury in CFLs? Is that a problem?
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing - an average of 4 milligrams per bulb. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use. By comparison, an old mercury-filled thermometer contains about 500 milligrams of mercury - an amount equal to the mercury in approximately 125 CFLs. Thanks to technology advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent in the past year, and the reductions will continue to come.
The most advanced manufacturers have already been able to reduce mercury content to between 1.4 - 2.5 milligrams per light bulb. Although incandescent bulbs do not contain mercury, they do in fact contribute to the release of mercury into the environment due to the mercury content of coal used in coal-fired electricity plants. Since CFLs require so much less energy for the equivalent lighting, standard incandescent bulbs actually contribute to a greater release of mercury into the environment: about 5.8 milligrams per bulb according to the EPA.
What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?
The EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. The EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options. Consumers can contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly, or go to http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling to identify local recycling options. If recycling options are not available where you live and you must dispose of the bulbs in your trash, wrap the bulbs in a sealable plastic bag before disposing of them.
CFLs are far more energy efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. While the mercury content of CFLs is small, recycling options have been initiated that allow for disposal and recycling of CFLs without release of mercury into the environment.
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