Frugal Home Lighting!

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are light bulbs that use 25% of the energy of a regular (incandescent) light bulb.

A fluorescent bulb produces less heat, which enables it to be as much as 6-8 times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. As an example, a typical 15-Watt compact fluorescent light bulb produces the same amount of light as a 60-Watt incandescent bulb.
 

Crunching the Numbers:

Compact fluorescent bulbs cost more than conventional bulbs. They run anywhere between $4-$8 depending on store, brands and size of bulb. The initial investment pays off quickly. Lighting accounts for 15% of electricity use in households. The typical household spends about $110 per year on lighting and most of this is wasted on inefficient incandescent light bulbs. If homes replaced conventional bulbs with fluorescent bulbs the average yearly cost of lighting would drop to $27.50.

In addition to the reduced energy use, a compact fluorescent bulb lasts on average 10000 hours of use compared to 850 hours of use for a conventional bulb. The initial investment of the fluorescent light bulb is made up in the life span of the bulb alone before taking into consideration the energy cost savings.

Myths of Fluorescent lighting:

Flickering factor:

Many years ago, when fluorescent light bulbs were first on the scene they had a flickering factor. When they would turn on at first they would flicker. However, the compact fluorescents of today are well beyond this problem. Steady light streams from the bulb at all times while the light is on.

Harsh Light:

Many people associate fluorescent light with the harshness of office and department store light. This is not true anymore for the compact fluorescent bulbs. They are available in a range of light output colors. The higher the Kelvin (color temperature) rating, the brighter and whiter the light. Choose a bulb rated near 3000K for a warm look similar to an incandescent light bulb.

Drawback:

Compact fluorescent bulbs do not work as well in dimmer switch situations.

Environmentally Friendly:

Compact fluorescent bulbs use much less energy than conventional bulbs, therefore burning less fossil fuel, such as coal that produces Carbon Dioxide, otherwise known as the main greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Bottom line: Compact fluorescent bulbs are good for finances and the environment.

Frugal Fanatic Tip:

Buy the first set of fluorescent light bulbs in a store where they can easily be returned. Testing out which wattage works best for which lamp could take one or two tries. Once there is a good match, buying them online in bulk can save a pretty penny. The site www.bulbs.com has a good selection of compact fluorescent light bulbs.

 

About the Author: Melina Gosselin is a free-lance writer who holds a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Business from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She has worked in the non-profit sector both in the United States and Canada. She currently resides in New Hampshire.  She may be contacted via email at FabulouslyFrugal