The power of the compact fluorescent light bulb

Perhaps one of the most visible steps that have been taken by people worldwide is the gradual switch from old-style incandescent light bulbs to the more energy-efficient, longer lasting compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs. Most people by now are aware of the fact that CFLs save energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. But while a significant number have completely made the switch, many others have not for a number of reasons - the light was too cool or "blue", the bulbs still too expensive by comparison, and sometimes too buzzy while switched on.

What the skeptics may not realize is that CFLs have been significantly improved upon in the past several years, even since they started appearing on store shelves a few years ago.

• While CFLs are still more expensive than incandescent bulbs, the price has lowered significantly in recent years. In 1999, a single compact fluorescent bulb cost $12.48, while today a 6-pack costs around $10, or $2.50 a bulb (source). It's obviously tempting to go for the cheaper option when comparing two bulbs on a store shelf, but compact fluorescent bulbs have gotten significantly cheaper, and will undoubtedly continue to do so as demand continues to grow.
• While a lot of people used to complain about the cooler, "bluer" tones of CFL bulbs, new Energy Star certified CFLs must "fall within a warm color range or be otherwise labeled as providing cooler color tones." Most bulbs in stores today should be much more clearly labeled than their predecessors with respect to how cool or warm the light is. I distinctly remember going to IKEA a year ago and being unable to distinguish between the incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs on display, so if nowhere else you should definitely be able to find warmer CFLs there.
• Newer Energy Star bulbs are also required to turn on instantly, as opposed to the gradual "fade-in" of earlier models, and are completely silent as well.
• CFLs today generate 70% less heat than incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of a fire hazard as well as the cost of climate control indoors.
  

All of these improvements are insignificant, of course, when you simply look at the amount of money and energy saved by switching to CFLs. According to Energy Star's CFL information page CFLs pay for themselves very quickly, saving "$30 or more in energy costs" per bulb, while using 2/3 less energy than a standard bulb to produce the same amount of light.

In addition, Wikipedia says that CFLs on average last anywhere from 8,000 to 15,000 hours, versus incandescent bulbs which have a life span of 750 to 1000 hours. That means each CFL will last 10 to 15 times longer than normal bulbs! Energy Star more conservatively estimates that Energy Star qualified CFLs last "up to 10 times longer", but the point is clear - these things are built to last much longer than incandescents, saving you the time of changing each bulb in your house nine times as frequently.

In fact, the only downside as far as I can see to CFLs is that some older bulbs contain small amounts of mercury in them, making them difficult to dispose safely - although an Earthtalk Q&A shows that that more mercury is released just from coal plants powering incandescents, ironically.)

The best way to dispose of burned-out or broken compact fluorescent bulbs is to take or mail them (in the sealed plastic bag) to a mercury recycling facility. The website of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers provides contact information for locating such facilities state by state.

I believe that statement is referring to this map of member recyclers.

If mercury recycling is not an option in your area, the bulb or fragments should be placed in sealed plastic bags and disposed of at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection site.

Disposal probably won't be an issue for long though - Wal-Mart announced just last week that they plan to significantly cut mercury levels in CFL bulbs, and in the meantime, the article also states that every IKEA store in the world provides disposal and recycling for used or broken bulbs.

Not a bad deal, any way you look at it - there's really no reason why you shouldn't replace all of your incandescents with CFLs as soon as they run out. Even with the potential for added hassle with disposal, incandescents really aren't worth spending an extra $30 per bulb in energy costs, and having to replace your bulbs ten times as frequently, are they?

Switching your bulbs to CFLs should be the first and easiest choice you make in choosing to live a greener lifestyle.

Photo by Tiago Silva.