Compact Fluorescent Lights

Global warming is a hot topic these days (no pun intended) and rising energy costs have even the skeptics looking for ways to conserve electricity.  One way you can do this both at work and at home is to replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights, commonly referred to as CFLs.  By now, most people are at least generally familiar with CFLs, even if they haven’t yet purchased one.  CFLs are functionally similar to the straight fluorescent tubes we have long had in many of our overhead fixtures here at Fermilab.  However, they differ in that they have a base equivalent to that of an incandescent bulb and their tubing is curled up so that they occupy roughly the same volume as a traditional incandescent bulb.  This makes them compatible with many fixtures.  They vary in shapes and sizes.  Most have exposed tubes and are roughly pear-shaped.  However, it is now also possible to purchase bulbs having various types of glass coverings over the fluorescent tube, making them similar in function and appearance to spotlights, floodlights, and decorator (e.g., round) bulbs.

So what are the benefits of CFLs?  The primary one is, of course, energy savings.  A CFL consumes roughly one-quarter of the power required by an incandescent bulb to provide the same amount of light.  For example, a “100-watt” CFL runs on only 23-30 watts.  A CFL saves about $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime.  This is far in excess of the cost differential between CFLs and incandescents.  In addition to the direct savings in power consumption, there is a secondary savings because CFLs generate about 75 percent less heat, so air conditioning loads are reduced.  Both savings are reflected in your electricity bill.  Change enough light bulbs and you really will notice a difference!  You will also have the satisfaction of having done something to help the planet by incrementally reducing the “carbon footprint” associated with your electricity consumption.

CFLs also may give you some added flexibility in how you light a room.  Have you ever wanted more light in a given location but run into a wattage limit on your fixture?  CFLs can help you get around that because they use less power.  For example, if your fixture limit is 60W, you can safely get the amount of light given off by a 100W incandescent by using a 23W CFL.

Tips for choosing and using CFLs:

• Look for the government's blue ENERGY STAR label.
• If you're replacing a bulb that's operating on a dimmer or 3-way switch, look for a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) made for this use – otherwise, the CFL will not perform properly or last as long as it should.
• If you’re replacing a bulb in a recessed fixture in your ceiling, select a reflector CFL for this purpose.  Note that reflector CFLs may take longer to warm up than a regular CFL, but they will offer bright light and perform better in your recessed fixture.
• Choose a bulb that offers the same lumen rating (amount of light) as the one you are replacing.
• Select the color that works best for you.  Warmer colors (equivalent to 2700 to 3000 degrees Kelvin) are appropriate for most rooms, but a cooler color (3500 to 6500 K) may be preferable for task lighting.  Cooler color tones are generally referred to as "bright white," "natural," or "daylight."
• Replace bulbs where lights are typically left on the longest for maximum energy savings and maximum bulb longevity.
• Most CFLs take a few seconds to come up to maximum brightness, but some manufacturers now offer “instant on” bulbs in some wattages.  Choose one of these if you find that little delay objectionable.
• Although a CFL won’t create as much heat as an incandescent bulb of the same lumen rating, the base of a CFL can get hot if it is put in a totally enclosed fixture.  Avoid doing this because it can significantly reduce the lifespan of the CFL.  Our Cryo Department learned this lesson the hard way when replacing incandescent bulbs in the Tev fridge buildings.

People commonly express concerns about the mercury in a CFL.  CFLs contain an average of 4 milligrams of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen.  This is comparable to the amount of mercury in a new standard 4-ft fluorescent tube marketed as “low mercury” and about a third of the amount in older such tubes.  While this is a small amount of mercury (far less than in a typical fever thermometer, for example), you should handle CFLs with caution to avoid breakage.  If you should happen to break one, guidance for cleanup can be found in the fact sheet at http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf.  Cleanup does not require anything particularly hi-tech.

CFL mercury content also poses an end-of-life disposal issue.  EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs.  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 www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.org to identify local recycling options.  One local option is the household hazardous waste drop-off at 1971 Brookdale Road in Naperville (open Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., excluding holidays).  It is interesting to note that conversion to CFLs actually helps rid the environment of mercury even assuming that they are eventually disposed of improperly.  Most of the mercury that humans release into the environment comes from combustion of coal to generate electricity.  Over its lifetime, the typical CFL will avoid about three times as much in mercury emissions through its savings on electricity than it would release if placed in a landfill.  Of course, proper recycling would contain all the mercury.

In summary, switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to CFLs is an effective, simple change that everyone can make to reduce electricity use and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change.  Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill.  CFLs use up to 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little additional up front (as you may have noticed, prices have come down a lot and occasionally are even subsidized), and provide a quick return on investment.  If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year and prevent the release of greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars!

Want to know more?  See the Energy Star website (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls), which also has a page where you can pledge to change x number of light bulbs in your home to ENERGY STAR CFLs (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=globalwarming.showPledgeHome).  You will find Fermilab in the menu of referring organizations.