Light bulbs with the power of change.

Photo: Light BulbPurchasing CFL Bulbs

  • Be sure to select a CFL bulb with the correct wattage you need. This will help to maximize the lifespan of the bulb. Most CFL manufacturers have a watt comparison right on the box (20W CFL=75W Incandescent).
  • Light output is measured in lumens. A standard 60 watt incandescent bulb provides 800 lumens, equivalent to a 15 watt CFL. Since a higher wattage CFL bulb can be used for the same fixture, it may be preferable to increase wattage to provide an equal or greater amount of lumens. For example, if the fixture is rated for a 60W incandescent bulb, and the equivalent 15W CFL is not bright enough, it can be upgraded to a 20W CFL.
  • Look for the ENERGY STAR logo, which guarantees the CFL bulb has met certain energy efficiency guidelines.

Using CFL Bulbs in Your Home

  • Maximize the benefits of CFL bulbs by replacing bulbs that burn the most hours in your home (hallway, living room, kitchen or porch lights).
  • Because CFL bulbs do not need to be changed as frequently as incandescent bulbs, it is often useful to install CFL bulbs in hard to reach places.
  • Switching a CFL bulb “off” or “on” frequently can shorten the life of the bulb. To take full advantage of the energy savings and long life of CFL bulbs, it is best to use them in light fixtures that you use the most and are on for at least 15 minutes at a time.
  • Some CFL bulbs have trouble operating in enclosed fixtures. Check the CFL’s packaging for any restrictions on use.
  • There are a variety of CFL bulbs available to suit different types of fixtures throughout your home, such as three-way lights, dimmers and outdoor fixtures, as well as different aesthetic appeals:

    Twist Shape Bulb Twist Shape
    Most commonly associated with CFL bulbs, the twist-shaped bulbs are available in a wide variety of wattages and lighting tones.

    Regular Shape Bulb Regular Shape
    Many manufacturers now offer CFL bulbs in a more traditional appearance.

    Globe Shape Bulb Globe Shape
    These CFL bulbs are commonly used for vanity mirrors or in bathroom areas. But, be sure to look for bulbs that are designed for use in moist areas when installing the bulbs in a bathroom.

    Candleabra Shape Bulb Candelabra Shape
    A small-base shape allows the CFL bulb to fit in smaller light fixtures, such as sconces or chandeliers.

 

Did You Know?
CFL bulbs use up to 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs.
Average life of a CFL bulb is 8,000 hours versus 1,000 hours for an incandescent bulb.
A typical CFL bulb costs about $3 more than a regular incandescent bulb but saves an average of $30 over its lifetime in energy and replacement costs.
Incandescent bulbs waste 90% of their energy creating heat.
If every home in America replaced the five most frequently used bulbs in their home with ENERGY STAR® CFL bulbs, it would eliminate greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from more than eight million cars.
If each household in Great River Energy's service area replaced 5 incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs it would eliminate 201,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
CFL bulbs are available in different sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors.
CFL bulbs generate 70% less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.