Let’s just dive right in to some facts about CFL’s:
According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulb:
- Can save up to $40 in electrical costs over its lifetime.
- Uses 75 percent less energy than a standard bulb and lasts 6 times longer.
- Produces 75 percent less heat than a standard bulb, and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.
Have you ever noticed how much heat your standard light bulbs are giving off? Isn’t it crazy that with incandescents you’re paying for electricity for high-energy usage bulbs AND you’re paying for additional electricity for making your HVAC system work harder? It’s time to change those bulbs!
BEWARE! The quality of CFL’s varies by brand. You definitely want to pay a little more for brand name, ENERGY STAR certified bulbs, and you’ll get your money’s worth in longevity and energy savings.
By the way, CFL’s should not be turned on and off within short time periods (3 minutes or less), as the resulting electrical surges will shorten the lifespan of the bulb. If you are leaving a room for only a few minutes and then coming back, leave the light on. CFL’s are also more energy efficient when they operate for 2 hours or more at a time.
Are you ready to run out and buy a bunch of CFL’s right now? (I hope so!) Before you do, make sure you get the right type of bulb for the right job. You want to consider wattage, indoor/outdoor use, and color balance. Check out the Buying Guide at the ENERGYSTAR.gov web site.
P.S. I changed all of the bulbs in my home to CFL’s 3 years ago. I noted an immediate decrease in my electric bill, about 6 dollars per month. That’s $216 I didn’t have to pay the electric company over the past three years! Well worth my initial 30-dollar investment in CFL’s to light my whole home!
