Before we lose the long hours of sunlight
and return to the increased need for artificial lighting during the fall and winter
months, we turn our attention to the subject of COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTING (CFL)
versus conventional INCANDESCENT LIGHTING. As we hope to demonstrate, there IS
a difference in terms of energy savings and environmental impact....we hope to
shed a little LIGHT so to speak, on the debate. Read on!
As
a note: be aware that flourescent lights do contain the element MERCURY
and thus require proper disposal. DO NOT THROW THEM OUT IN THE GARBAGE. Use proper
recycling methods!
COMPACT FLUORESCENT
INCANDESCENT
Almost 100% of the energy required
by compact fluorescent lighting goes toward light production. Thus the bulb remains
cool to the touch during operation
10% of the energy used by incandescents
actually produces light. The remaining 90% is given off as heat. Don't try touching
an incandescent bulb that's been lit for awhile!
CFLs use 1/4 the amount of energy
of traditional lightbulbs. A 15 watt bulb produces 900 lumens of light
A 60 watt bulb produces 855 lumens
of light
Lasts 10,000 hours on average
Last 1,000 hours on average
Replacing just one incandescent bulb
with a compact fluorescent will prevent the emission of 8 - 16 pounds of sulfur
dioxide and 1000 - 20000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Electricity production is the largest
source of greenhouse emissions in the U.S. (29% in 1996 just ahead of transportation
at 25%)
source: "Towards a Sustainable America: Advancing Prosperity, Opportunity,
and a Healthy Environment for the 21st Century" by the President's Council
on Sustainable Development (1999).
According to a Department of Energy
survey, homeowners can save 35% in lighting costs when switching to CFLs (see
energy calculator below)
Bulbs are now designed to fit most
household fixtures.
The more frequently the bulbs are
turned off and on, the quicker they will wear out so consider using them in fixtures
that remain on for longer periods of time.
They are not recommended for use on
dimmer switches nor motion sensitive lighting.
Check with your local recycling organizations
to see if your CFL can be taken there. Like all fluorescents, they contain mercury
gas and should be considered as hazardous waste.
Each year in the United States, we
throw away 1.741 BILLION incandescent bulbs. source: San Diego Gas and Elecrtic
13
watt CFL is equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent
18
watt CFL is equivalent to a 75 watt incandescent
27
watt CFL is equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent
30
watt CFL is equivalent to a 150 watt incandescent
13-23-34
watt CFL is equivalent to a 50-100-150 watt incandescent
Click
HERE for information regarding a
mail-out system for recycling of flourescents. Click HERE
for information regarding recycling of worn out CFLs for Dakota County, Minnesota
residents. Click HERE
to calculate your savings when replacing incandescent with compact fluorescent
lighting.
Almost 100% of the energy required
by compact fluorescent lighting goes toward light production. Thus the bulb remains
cool to the touch during operation
10% of the energy used by incandescents
actually produces light. The remaining 90% is given off as heat. Don't try touching
an incandescent bulb that's been lit for awhile!