With the cost of electric steadily rising and the issue of global warming remaining quite serious, many consumers are choosing environmentally friendly light bulbs over the standard alternative. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have several advantages over incandescent bulbs: they last up to 15 times longer, they require less power to produce the same intensity of light, and they release a much lower amount of harmful gasses and pollutants into the atmosphere. Here are some factors to keep in mind when purchasing an environmentally friendly light bulb:
- Before replacing an incandescent bulb with a CFL, compare the wattage of both to ensure that an equivalent amount of light will be produced. Compact fluorescent bulbs only need about 1/4 of the energy that regular bulbs need. Therefore, if you are looking to replace a standard 75-watt bulb, choose an 18-watt CFL.
- Don't let the higher price of environmentally friendly light bulbs discourage you from using them. While it's true that CFLs are more costly than regular bulbs at first, they will help you to save money in the long run. Compact fluorescent bulbs stay lit for thousands of hours longer than incandescent ones, and because they perform on a much smaller amount of power, payments to the electric company will be reduced.
- Learn about the varieties of CFLs that are available. Some types of compact fluorescent bulbs are more compatible with certain light fixtures than others. Examples of CFLs are:
- Twin Tube Lamps, which can be used in wall lights, lamps, and ceiling lights
- Quad Tube Lamps, designed for small lamps and other small fixtures
- Spiral Lamps, which are the most recognizable type of CFL, and can be used in place of an ordinary incandescent bulb
- F Lamps, used for recessed lights and task lights
- Triple Biax Lamps, which produce very bright light from a small source and are ideal for table lamps
- Circular lamps, which sometimes provide a "warmer" light and are typically used for reading lamps
- Research and read product descriptions of the different CFL brands that are manufactured. Some companies differ from one another in terms of the brightness and quality of the bulbs produced. If you know people who already use environmentally friendly light bulbs, ask them for recommendations.
Making the decision to switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps is beneficial from both a financial and an environmental perspective. The small changes made in regard to energy output today can greatly improve the chances for a clean environment in the future.
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