How to Choose the Right CFL
It takes a little getting used to, this business of selecting a CFL (compact fluorescent light ). Now, replacing the old standard incandescent bulb takes some thinking. It used to be easy, if you needed more light, replace the 60 watt bulb with a 100 watt bulb. The best part of replacing an incandescent bulb is the knowledge that the new compact Fluorescent bulb is going to use about 75% less juice. Saving power and saving money on power is a good thing.
Some of you probably thought I was going to talk about the Canadian Football League. I can guess that Doug Flutie is out there somewhere nodding his head in agreement.
I don't see what the big deal is, we have been using fluorescent bulbs for years. Those long slender tubes that light up the shop, garage, classrooms etc, have been lighting our way and saving us energy for a long time. All the light manufacturer did was make a small curly light and put a small ballast on each light.
Before I talk about how to select the correct CFL, I would like to make 3 important points.
1. Your home has more light bulbs than you think. Right now, guess how many light bulbs are in your home, quick, guess. What did you say, about 18. OK, now go and count each one, don't forget the closet, the porch, the garage, the range hood, the chandelier, the bar over the bathroom mirror. What is the actual number? See, by changing out all the bulbs to CFL's, you may save more juice than you thought possible.
2. CFL's use mercury to enhance the fluorescent chemical process that leads to light. Most of the mercury is in vapor form, if you break a CFL bulb, keep your nose away from the broken bulb, ventilate the space and carefully secure the bulb in a plastic container such as a zip lock bag. Do not put the bulb in the garbage. Take the bulb to a location where it can be properly disposed. I take mine to Home Depot, they have a nice container for the bulbs right near the front door. By the way, a standard CFL contains about 0.000176 ounces of mercury. Since the amount of mercury is so small and there are proper places to put spent bulbs, the presences of mercury is not a reason to black list the bulbs.
3. A CFL bulb is made for almost every light fixture in your home. Lack of versatility is no longer an excuse for not using the energy efficient bulbs. Yes, there is a CFL for your bedroom light fixture that is on the dimmer switch. Yes, there is a CFL for your grandmothers 3-way light fixture in the dining room. Yes, there is a CFL for the recessed light over the kitchen sink. Yes, there is a exterior flood CFL for the motion detector light along the side of the garage. CFL's have you covered.
OK, let's trip on over to the store and select the proper CFL for your favorite light fixture. Here is my CFL Checklist:
A. Look for the Energy Star Seal. CFL's are energy efficient compared to incandescent bulbs, but not all CFL's are Energy Star Approved.
B. Choose the correct wattage. A 13 watt CFL bulb equals a 60 watt incandescent bulb. The equivalent watt ratings are clearly printed on the front of CFL packages.
C. Choose the bulb that is designed for your fixture. Table, floor and desk lamps, enclosed ceiling fixtures, dimmable, 3 way, indoor or outdoor flood, bug repelling yellow, or reflective. Reflective is often used in track lighting or recessed can light fixtures. All CFL's should be instant on except some of the exterior flood lights, they may need to warm up to provide full light.
D. Choose the bulb with the desired color temperature. Look for packages labeled "2700 degrees kelvin" or "warm-white" if you want the same color and feel as the old incandescent bulbs. If you seek a brighter, "whiter" light there are CFL's with 5000 degree kelvin or "bright-white" color temperature. In between the "warm-white" and the "bright-white" bulbs is the "cool-white" bulbs. At 4100 degree kelvin, the "cool-white" bulbs are a little whiter than the "warm-white" and a little more yellow than the "bright-white".
E. Choose the light output rating. Marked on the bulb container will be the light output intensity measured in lumen's. A standard 13 watt CFL may have a light output of 900 lumen's. The more lumen's the brighter the bulb.
F. Choose the bulb with the greatest life expectancy. Most CFL's will have life expectancy listed in both hours and years. 12,000 hours and 11 years is average and pretty good. The years is based on 3 hours a day. You might pay a little more for the bulbs that last the longest.
G. Choose a CFL bulb that is packaged in a container that is 100% recyclable.
Well, there you have it. Count up the exact number of light fixtures you have in your home ( more than you think ) and keep your eyes open for that sale on a package of four CFL bulbs. Choose just the right package for you and join the CFL, save energy, switch out program.
