Energy saving light bulbs

The first step to a lower electric bill

The compact fluorescent lamp, or CFL is a type of energy saving light bulb designed to be used throughout the home in all types of ever day applications to give the equivalent light output of regular incandescent lamps while using much less electricity. Because of their compact design they can fit into most standard household lightfittings which would normally use incandescent lamps.

When compared to regular bulbs, CFL's give the same amount of light for a much lower energy consumption and have a far greater lifespan. They do have a significantly higher purchase price initially but since the energy usage is only around 20% of normal bulbs, and the lifespan so much longer, the additional expense doesn’t take long to recover.

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The design of the CFL is based on the standard fluorescent tubes which have been around for many years. Because of their design however, standard fluorescent's have limited uses but by using  that same technology, designers have been able to produce the modern CFL's we are familiar with today. If you look closely at a CFL you will see that it is basically a mini version of the fluorescent tube which has been coiled into same amount of space occupied by an incandescent bulb, hence the name, ‘compact fluorescent lamp’. One of the most significant advances in CFL technology is the use of electronic ballast units which are usually built into the base of the lamp and have the effect of removing the flickering  typical of standard fluorescent tubes when they are first switched on. Other noticeable improvements have been in the quality of light produced by CFL’s which is now generally on par with the softer, warmer glow of a filament bulb.

Modern CFL’s were first conceived in the early 1970’s in response to the oil crisis. However, it wasn’t until the modern green movement gained momentum that they were put into widespread production and became popular with homeowners. Replacing regular lamps with CFL’s is now usually one of the first steps a homeowner will take in order to reduce electric bills and lower their carbon footprint.

While CFL’s have distinct advantages over normal bulbs, they also have a number of disadvantages which include;

• The use of mercury in their construction  -  As mercury is highly toxic to the environment, this complicates the disposal of CFL’s and requires special treatment at recycling centres. 
• Light output  – in order to produce the same amount of light, CFL’s often need to be slightly bigger than their incandescent equivalent. This generally may not be a problem but can make the use of them in some decorative light fittings impossible. 
• Dimming  – Although dimmable CFL’s are available the additional circuitry required makes them more expensive to purchase. They are also of limited use in creating mood scenes when compared to incandescent bulbs and if dimmed to below 20% the starter circuitry may even cause them to flicker. 
• Delay on switching on  – Many CFL's can take up to three minutes to reach full output and may have a different colour spectrum when initially switched on. 

With the advance of modern technology, many of these problems will eventually be addressed and the advantages of using CFL’s far outweigh the disadvantages.  Some of these advantages include;

• Lower running costs – Typically, CFL’s use around 20% of the energy used by the equivalent incandescent bulb. Add up all the power used in your home by lights alone and reduce it by 80%. You will quickly see the saving to be made in electric bills over the course of a year. Add to that the benefit to the environment of reducing emissions by the same amount and it makes a compelling argument in itself. 
• Longer lifespan – The much longer lifespan of a CFL means less environmental pollution through the manufacturing process and can also be an advantage when using light fittings in areas which are difficult to access for lamp replacement. 
• Lower heat output – CFL’s typically produce much less heat than incandescent bulbs and so makes them safer to use in confined or enclosed areas. 
• Ease of use – Practically all CFL’s are supplied with a standard bayonet or edisson screw type base which allows for straightforward replacement of regular bulbs. 

For any homeowner interested in adopting a greener lifestyle or even if you only want to reduce your electric bill, the use of CFL’s in the home is the most obvious and cost effective place to start. It requires no technical knowledge and no change to your daily routine. Simply replace all the lamps in your home with the appropriate CFL and you have instantly reduced your energy consumption and taken a positive step towards a greener lifestyle.

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