SAVING ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL
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When purchasing light bulbs, choose Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). While they are more expensive than incandescents, on the average, each bulb can save more than $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime and prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse-gas emissions. CFLs can last up to ten times longer than a standard incandescent bulb and use only one-third of the energy to produce light. Whereas ten percent of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs produces light; the remainder is wasted as heat. A 26 or 28-watt compact fluorescent lamp can replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb, and it will last about 8,000 hours. Compared this to an incandescent bulb, which usually lasts about 1,000 hours.
CFLs are quite different than the fluorescents of the past. They do not flicker or buzz, and the color of the light emitted ranges from cool (blue-ish) to warm (yellow-ish, similar to an incandescent bulb). Warmer-toned CFLs work well in overhead fixtures in the main areas of a home, while cooler-toned bulbs provide good task lighting. CFLs work with new or existing indoor and outdoor fixtures. If a light fixture is connected to a three-way switch or dimmer switch, choose a CFL specifically labeled for this purpose. Also, for recessed fixtures, it is better to use a ‘reflector’CFL.
Incandescent bulbs or “regular” bulbs consist of finely coiled wire filaments in a glass bulb filled with an inert gas. The wire’s resistance to the flow of electricity causes it to become hot enough to glow. About 90 percent of the energy used by an incandescent bulb becomes heat and 10 percent becomes light. On the other hand, a fluorescent bulb has a phosphor coating on its inner surface that converts ultraviolet energy into light. Over time, molecular vibrations inside the tube cause the phosphor coating to vibrate off. When the phosphor is used up, the tube won’t light.
CFLs contain very small amounts of mercury (about the size of a pinhead or four to five milligrams) sealed within the glass tubing. Mercury is what enables the CFL to be an efficient light source. There is currently no substitute for it, but manufacturers have been trying to reduce the amount used. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger if used properly.
While compact fluorescent lamps do last longer than their incandescent counterparts, at some point they may burn out or break. Because the bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury, it is important to dispose of them correctly. I checked with Joe Cherry, Lee County Solid Waste Superintendent, and he is asking folks to place burnt out CFLs in their original packaging and hold on to them for our annual Household Hazardous Waste collection day, which will be held October 18 this year. A less desirable alternative is to place them in a plastic bag, seal it then place the bag in the household trash.
If each North Carolina home replaced just one standard light bulb with an energy-efficient CFL we would conserve enough energy to light more than 86,000 homes for a year; save more than $15 million in annual energy costs; and cut greenhouse gases equivalent to emissions from 19,000 cars a year. For more information on choosing CFLs, or for energy conservation tips for your home, contact NC Cooperative Extension in Lee County at 775-5624.
Susan C. Condlin, CFCS is the County Extension Director for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lee County.