Light Bulbs
Shopping Tips
There are many different CFL models to choose from, depending on a specific lighting situation. The key is to accurately assess your lighting needs before you choose your bulb.
And remember: You don't have to replace every bulb in your house all at once. Buy one or two bulbs and experiment with them in different rooms and settings before you take the plunge and replace all your incandescent bulbs.
1. Only buy products that are rated by the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, which means they use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. Some manufacturers produce both Energy Star-rated and non-Energy Star-raged bulbs, so don't just look for the company name; make sure the specific bulb model you buy carries the Energy Star label.
2. Save money: Before hitting the store, check with your local utility to see if they offer CFL bulbs for free or if they offer rebates on the purchase of energy-efficient bulbs.
3. Most fixtures are rated for incandescent bulbs. Because CFLs use 42 watts at most, a fixture that takes a 60-watt incandescent can handle a CFL with any wattage. If you want brighter light, feel free to choose a higher wattage CFL.
4. CFL brightness decreases over time, but higher-watt CFLs maintain a higher lumen output for a longer period of time.
5. Buy a bulb that accommodates the fixture in which it will be used. Higher-watt CFLs tend to be larger than those with lower wattages. However, if your existing fixture doesn't fit any CFL shape or size, consider replacing it; you'll likely save energy and money in the long run.
6. To provide sharp contrast in workspaces and under reading lamps, buy a CFL labeled "daylight," or with a higher Kelvin temperature.
Getting the Most From Your CFL
1. Repeatedly turning CFLs on and off shortens their lifespan. The EPA recommends installing the bulbs in fixtures or rooms where you'll need light for more than 15 minutes at a time, but no matter where you install them, turn off CFLs if you'll be gone for a while.
2. Periodically wipe away dust from light fixture reflectors and diffusers, according their manufacturers' directions, to ensure that you're getting the maximum amount of light from the bulb.
3. Although newer CFLs don't have this problem, older, low-quality CFLs have been accused of interfering with remote controls for TVs, VCRs and stereos and of causing static on AM radios or cordless telephones. If this happens, see whether the problem stops when you shut off the light. If so, try repositioning your lamp or the electronic device, or switch the lamp's plug to a different electrical outlet.
General Tips for More Efficient Lighting
1. Maximize your use of natural daylight.
2. Reduce background light levels and opt for concentrated task lighting. If you are reading, for example, turn off ceiling lights and rely on a small, focused lamp instead.
3. Choose your fixtures wisely; some can trap light, reducing the amount of brightness while still costing the same amount of power to operate.
4. Pick lampshades and diffusers that let the most light through while still filtering glare.
5. Choose light-colored paints and carpeting (if you have it); lighter colors better reflect light (including natural daylight) and reduce the need for electric lighting.
Disposal
The amount of mercury in a CFL is too small to be of danger to you in your home (see The Backstory), but still requires careful disposal. Call your sanitation department or visit www.earth911.org or www.lamprecycle.org to find out the best way to dispose of used CFLs and other fluorescent light bulbs in your area. See Concerned About Quicksilver: Is the Mercury in CFLs Hazardous? for tips on what to do when a CFL breaks in your home.
