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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL)

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Switching from traditional light bulbs to CFLs is an effective, accessible change every American can make right now to reduce energy use at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change. Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment.

CFLs are more efficient than incandescent light bulbs of an equivalent brightness. This is because more of the consumed energy is converted to usable light and less is converted to heat, allowing fluorescent lamps to run cooler. An incandescent lamp may convert only 10% of its power input to visible light releasing 90% heat. A CFL producing as much useful visible light energy may require only 1/3 to 1/4 as much electricity input and converts 90% of the power input to visible light releasing only 10% heat. Basically, a CFL will reduce your energy consumption AND your electric bill!

If every home in the United States 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.

Contents

[edit] Considerations When Switching from Incandescent

CFLs are different from traditional incandescent bulbs in several ways. Consider the following when selecting a CFL bulb:

  • Look for high quality: many bulbs, especially value bulbs, are manufactured poorly causing premature failure or poor lighting performance. Quality has improved dramatically as some manufacturers like GE, Sylvania, Philips and others have rolled out new lines. Avoid "value" or no-name bulbs
  • Buy the correct wattage: many people replaced 100W or 75W bulbs with 60W equivalent and found them to be less bright. Some CFL take a long time to reach full brightness, but for high quality bulbs, this should typically be less than 10 or 15 seconds. Low quality bulbs may also have a color cast that makes their light look gray.
  • Get the right color, usually "warm": CFLs come in several different "color warmth" levels which are sold under different names. Many have bought "daylight" bulbs or ones designed for "task lighting" but found that their color is unpleasant or harsh. Most incandescent lights have a color warmth of 2700K, and most CFLs list their color warmth using this scale; daylight bulbs are 5500K to 6000K; look for bulbs that are labeled "warm", "soft" or even "regular, everyday use"
  • Avoid dimmable CFLs: while they can work in certain applications, dimmable CFLs often do not dim as well, shift colors, or buzz. Try one out first.
  • Know the Size and Shape you Need: CFLs may be larger than the bulbs they replace (or smaller), usually larger as the wattage increases. All have a somewhat bulky part near the screw-in base (the "ballast") that can interfere in certain fixtures.
  • Not for: vibration, fully enclosed, or exposed locations: The technology in CFLs is more sensitive to heat and vibration than incandescent bulbs. While high quality bulbs should be no more breakable than their incandescent equivalents, it's best to avoid breakage due to mercury content (see below).

Many misconceptions or poor early experiences have cause low adoption rates in the US. As of 2008, however, quality and packaging have improved significantly while prices have fallen.

[edit] Mercury and Mercury Content

Mercury is an element (Hg on the periodic table) found naturally in the environment. Mercury emissions in the air can come from both natural and man-made sources. Coal-fired power plants are the largest man-made source because mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to make electricity. Coal-fired power generation accounts for roughly 40 percent of the mercury emissions in the U.S. EPA is implementing policies to reduce airborne mercury emissions. Under regulations EPA issued in 2005, mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants will drop by nearly 70 percent by 2018.

The use of CFLs reduces power demand, which helps reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

For more information on all sources of mercury, visit http://www.epa.gov/mercury. For more information about compact fluorescent bulbs, visit http://www.energystar.gov/cfls.

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams – about the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount.

Mercury currently is an essential component of CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. Many manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products. In fact, the average amount of mercury in a CFL is anticipated to drop by the end of 2007 thanks to technology advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

[edit] Precautions

CFLs are made of glass and can break if dropped or roughly handled. Be careful when removing the bulb from its packaging, installing it, or replacing it. Always screw and unscrew the lamp by its base (not the glass), and never forcefully twist the CFL into a light socket. If a CFL breaks in your home, follow the clean-up recommendations below. Used CFLs should be disposed of properly.

[edit] Disposal

The 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.

If your state permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection. CFLs should not be disposed of in an incinerator.

ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs have a warranty. If the bulb has failed within the warranty period, look at the CFL base to find the manufacturer’s name. Visit the manufacturer’s web site to find the customer service contact information to inquire about a refund or replacement.

[edit] Cleaning up a broken CFL

  1. Before Clean-up: Ventilate the Room
    • Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
    • Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
    • Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
  1. Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
    • Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
    • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
    • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
    • Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
  1. Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:
    • Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
    • Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
    • If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
    • Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
  1. Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding, etc.:
    • If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be discarded. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
    • You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
    • If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
  1. Disposal of Clean-up Materials
    • Immediately place all cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
    • Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
    • Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.
  1. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ventilate the Room During and After Vacuuming
    • The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
    • Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

[edit] Citation

The content in this article originally appeared in "Frequently Asked Questions: Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury" by Energy Star in April 2008. PDF

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