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Use
CFLs to Save on Lighting for the New Year
by
Chuck Hall
 Here’s
a money-saving idea for the New Year: Using compact fluorescent
lamps (CFLs) to replace incandescent lamps is one of the simplest
and easiest ways to conserve energy.
Recent modifications in design have vastly improved the CFLs
of today. If you’ve used CFLs in the past and set them aside
because of the harsh light and short life, now’s the time to try
them again.
Today’s
CFLs produce as much light as an incandescent lamp for around four
to six times less energy. CFLs
also last between eight and ten times longer than incandescent
lamps. The harsh light
produced by the older variety has been improved as well. Different
color temperatures are available from warm white to daylight to soft
light. There are also CFLs equipped with reflectors to use for
floodlight applications. Today’s CFLs are virtually
indistinguishable from incandescent lamps. While the up-front cost
is more, savings over the life of the lamp can be between $35 and
$80 or even more.
If
you intend to use a CFL in a dimmer switch, be sure that it is
dimmer compatible. The package will indicate whether the bulb can be
used with a dimmer switch. If it doesn’t specify ‘dimmer
compatible’ on the package, it can’t be used with a dimmer
switch. Don’t attempt to dim a CFL that isn’t rated
dimmer-compatible. Dimmer switches work by varying the amount of
voltage supplied to the lamp. Each CFL has its own ballast that
regulates the voltage going to the bulb, so using a non-dimmable CFL
will overwork the ballast as it tries to supply a steady level of
voltage to the lamp. While some varieties of CFL will dim to a
limited degree, the range is nowhere near as great as that of a
dimmable CFL. Additionally, using a CFL not dimmer-compatible could
greatly shorten the life of the bulb.
A
color temperature of 5,000ºK with a CRI (color rendering index) of
82 or higher should provide a good daylight type source for a
dimmable lamp, compatible with most incandescent daylight bulbs.
Compact
fluorescent lamps are available at most of the larger hardware
stores and even at some drugstores. Your local electric utility may
also carry CFL lamps. A larger variety may be available online. A
replacement for a 100-watt incandescent bulb can usually be
purchased for less than $15. This price might seem a bit high until
you consider the long life and the energy savings to be had. Some
CFLs last as long as seven years and use as little as fifteen watts!
One
final note: CFLs can be used in any incandescent socket without any
modifications, so start saving today!
Chuck
Hall is a Sustainability Consultant and author. His latest book, Green
Circles: A Sustainable Journey from the Cradle to the Grave, is
now available at Booklocker.com. You may contact
Chuck by
email at: chuck@cultureartist.org or visit the Culture Artist Web
site at www.cultureartist.org.
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