Compact Fluorescent Lights vs

Compact Fluorescent Lights

What is a CFL?
A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) is fluorescent lighting designed to be used in a standard (incandescent) light bulb socket. Because incandescent bulbs work by heating up a metal filament until it is white-hot, they produce mostly heat, which is why a fluorescent bulb using only 13 watts of electricity can produce light comparable to an incandescent hogging 60 watts.

How does a CFL benefit the environment?
Each 13-watt CFL, over the expected 10,000 hour life of the bulb, will save 470 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity compared to a 60-watt incandescent. If your electricity comes from coal-fired powered plants, this translates to a reduction of over 730 pounds of carbon dioxide (which contributes to global warming), 1.6 pounds of nitrogen oxides (which contributes to ozone and acid rain), and 4.3 pounds of sulfur dioxide (which contributes to haze and acid rain).

Where can I use CFL's?
A 13-watt CFL is only 1/2 inch longer than a standard incandescent bulb. Though thicker near the base, it is smaller in maximum diameter, so it will physically fit almost anywhere an incandescent bulb will. Higher wattage CFL's are bigger, so they may have some size constraints. CFL's should not be used in fixtures that are recessed and enclosed, on a dimmer, or exposed to moisture. Desk, table, and floor lamps are ideal locations as are many indoor ceiling fixtures.

Are there any issues about disposal of CFL’s?
The amount of mercury in CFL’s is so little compared with such sources of mercury exposure as thermometers, regular long tube fluorescent lamps and emissions from coal-fired power plants that CLF’s do not substantially contribute to the problem of mercury exposure. No major environmental group with its extensive science-information gathering capacity has spoken concern about the disposal of CFL’s, but since mercury is a toxic substance and there is a small amount of mercury vapor in all fluorescent lights, we recommend disposal through hazardous waste handling systems as is appropriate for all mercury-containing products. When you buy a good quality CFL bulb, it will be many, many years before you face the problem of disposal. Perhaps by then your recycle facility will be among those that have found reclamation markets for fluorescent lights.

How widely available are CFL’s? *Where can you buy them?
CFL’s have recently become widely available and the prices have dropped precipitously. Lowe’s, Home Depot Costco, Kmart, and Walmart carry a wide selection, prices vary.

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*Bulbs are also available through NC Interfaith Power & Light, a program of the NC Council of Churches and an affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light. Bulb distribution is one feature of the programs we present in congregations as we seek to address the causes and consequences of global climate change through education and public policy advocacy. Please contact us to request a presentation in your faith community.

Thank you for the prayers, intentions, actions and financial contributions you add to those of other individuals and congregations in North Carolina who are dedicated to preserving the health of our people, state and Earth

NC Interfaith Power & Light, c/o NC Council of Churches, 1307 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 156, Raleigh, NC 27605