PSA #3: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

~When was the last time you changed a light bulb? If you're like most Americans, it probably wasn't that long ago that you flipped the switch, heard a brief *tink!*, and groaned to yourself, realizing that you had to change the bulb. Before you regale me with "How many X's does it take to change a light bulb?" jokes, today I bring you yet another Public Service Announcement. This one is about something you may not have heard of: compact fluorescent light bulbs.

First, some history (No! Don't leave!). The conventional incandescent light bulb that most of us use was invented in 1879 by Thomas Edison (patent number 223, 898 to be exact). It works by channeling electricity through a thin wire (called a filament) made of tungsten, which has the highest melting point of all metallic elements. The thinness of the filament creates a high degree of electrical resistance, which causes it to become intensely hot, so hot that it glows. That's where the light comes from.

The problem with this method of illumination is twofold. First, it's incredibly inefficient. As I'm sure you're aware, light bulbs that have been on for a few minutes become very hot, which is a result of the white-hot filament. Unless you have infravision, heat doesn't help you see; it's wasted energy. In other words, very little of the electricity pumped into the light bulb actually turns into light.

The second problem is that the filament has a relatively short life span. Every time the filament is heated, it melts a little bit. Of course, it eventually becomes so thin that it breaks entirely, necessitating a replacement.

Fortunately, I have a solution to these problems, and that solution is the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). Like NiMH rechargeable batteries, using CFLs will save you money and time, and will also be better for the environment.

CFLs are essentially consumer versions of the large, long-lasting fluorescent lights that are used as overhead lighting in most large buildings. The method that they use to create light is completely different from incandescent bulbs. First, electricity is channeled through a glass bulb filled with gas. The electricity causes the gas to emit UV radiation, which hits a phosphor coating on the inner surface of the bulb. The coating absorbs the UV rays and emits visible light, which looks exactly the same as light from an incandescent bulb.

So what makes them so much better than the old bulbs? First of all, they're much more energy efficient, using an average of 1/4 as much energy as incandescent bulbs. So a 15-watt CFL will produce about the same amount of light as a 90-watt incandescent. Second, CFLs last longer...a lot longer, usually having at least four times the lifespan of Edison's bulbs. Finally, they don't give off as much heat as incandescents, which is not only safer but reduces cooling costs in the summer. Here is a link to to the Energy Star page on CFLs, which has much more information on the energy savings you can get by using these devices. Note that Energy Star-certified CFLs come with at least a two-year warranty.

All of this translates into significant monetary savings for you if you use CFLs. Although it's cheap to buy a light bulb, you have to pay for the power to use it, and fluorescents use less power. Here's the math: a 20-watt CFL with a life of 8,000 hours, assuming an average electricity cost of 8¢ per kilowatt-hour, will cost you around $12.80 to power over its life:


By comparison, for the same amount of light, you'd have to use 75-watt incandescent bulbs, which last around 2,000 hours each. That will cost you $48.00 to power, and of course you'd have to buy four bulbs to get the 8,000 hours:

Like rechargeable batteries, the cost of CFLs was once high but has plummeted in recent years, with prices approaching as little as $1 per bulb. Wal-Mart recently announced an initiative to sell 100 million of them this year. It feels weird to be plugging a store that I avoid shopping at, but you can get a six-pack of 13-watt CLFs (equivalent to 60-watt incandescents) for only $9.98.

As I mentioned before, CFLs are, overall, better for our environment. Because they last longer, they result in less trash. Because they use less power, they don't result in as much pollution from power plants. I'm sure Captain Planet would approve.

The only downside is that they're a bit more difficult to dispose of than the old light bulbs. Because CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury gas (almost completely harmless in such a small amount, about 1/100 of what old thermometers had), you shouldn't just throw them into the trash if you can avoid it. Luckily, there are a number of ways to properly dispose of dead CFLs; here is a big list of places in Wake County where you can drop them off. If you have to throw them out, or you're too lazy to dispose of them properly, put them in a sealed plastic bag before pitching them in the trash.

So here's your mission: the next time a light bulb in your home dies and you find that you're out of spare bulbs, replace it with a CFL. Your electricity bill will be lower. The light will last much longer. It won't burn a hole in your wallet, nor will it burn you if you accidentally touch it. You'll produce less trash. And best of all, the illumination will be exactly the same as it was before.

Don't feel bad about using the rest of the incandescent light bulbs you have, but once they're gone, get CFLs for your future needs. You'll be doing yourself, and the world, a favor. ~Oyasumi!