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Looking at the Environment in a New Light: Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Switching to CFL’s
Switching from traditional light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lamps is an effective, accessible change we all can make right now to reduce energy use at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
Lighting is responsible for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFL’s use up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars.
Additionally, they last up to 10 times longer and provide a quick return on the investment.
Compared to incandescent lamps of the same perceived power, CFLs use less energy and have a longer rated life, up to 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. In the United States, a CFL can save more than $30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime compared to an incandescent lamp. CFL’s, though more costly to purchase, provide a quick return on your lighting investment by lasting longer and saving energy.
CFLs radiate a different light spectrum from that of incandescent lamps, but product improvements have created a subjective color of "soft white" light that seem similar to the color in standard incandescent lamps.
The Mercury Connection
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams, which is about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen, or one percent of the mercury in an older thermometer.
Mercury is a necessary component of CFL’s, and it is mercury that allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. Even though no mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use, manufacturers are continuing to find ways to reduce the average amount of mercury in these bulbs.
