Compact Fluorescent Globes
CFLs use around 20% of the power required by an incandescent bulb and will last four to ten times longer. They are available in a range of wattages, colour outputs and designs to fit many existing incandescent light fittings around your home and office.
On a lifetime basis, a standard 100 watt-equivalent CFL will save 480 kilowatt hours of electricity when compared to an incandescent lamp. In fact during its lifetime, just one CFL bulb has the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as one tonne.
A typical compact fluorescent lamp will save around $50 in its lifetime. Additionally you'll save the expense of six or more incandescent globes and of course you don't have to change the bulbs as often.
Switching to energy efficient globes will result in reduced households lighting costs of up to 66%. This represents an annual saving of up to $1.3 billion to Australian consumers.
Wattage
CFLs are more efficient and
therefore require a lower wattage
globe for the same light output
(lumens).
Colour
CFLs are available in a range of
three colours. Bright daylight
(6500K) offers a strong, bright
light suited to home offices, cool
white (4000K) is suited to social
environments like lounge rooms, and
warm white (2700K) creates a more
intimate atmosphere for bedrooms.
The higher the Kelvin (K) rating the bluer the colour gets. Lower Kelvin-rated CFLs have more yellow and are similar to the light colour of an incandescent globe. The Kelvin rating only refers to the colour of the light emitted, not the brightness, and different colours should be used for different situations as listed above.
Lighting Costs
While the cost of a CFL is greater
than an incandescent lamp, CFLs are
cheaper when the total life cycle
cost is considered.
The cost of running a light is directly related to the globe wattage plus any associated ballast or transformer. Therefore the higher the wattage, the higher the running cost. So the type of lighting you choose will affect the amount of electricity you use, your lighting bill, and greenhouse gas emissions.
CFL Light Quality
The light quality of the latest
range of CFLs is equal or superior
to today's incandescent globes. And
importantly, new
electronically-ballasted CFLs don't
flicker or hum.
While traditional CFLs deliver most of their light to the sides, corkscrew-shaped CFLs and those enclosed in frosted plastic spheres distribute light in a pattern similar to that of incandescent lamps.
However the light distribution of CFLs is different and may appear less bright than the bulb they replace unless used in a specially designed fitting. Therefore when replacing an incandescent lamp with a CFL in an existing fitting, it may be better to use a slightly higher wattage than recommended by the manufacturer to ensure adequate light output.
CFL light output can also drop slightly over time. Therefore it's important to regularly clean or dust CFLs and light fittings to maintain an optimum light output, particularly given their extended lifespan.
Mercury Content
CFLs have a high electrical
component and trace amounts of
mercury, usually around 3 to 5 mg,
which is required to operate the
lamp. 5 mg is one fifth of the
mercury found in watch batteries and
100 times less than that found in a
thermometer or dental filling.
In a CFL the trace amount of mercury is sealed within glass tubing and is not dangerous to users when the lamp is in tact or in use because no mercury is released. However as mercury is a toxic substance it's important that CFLs are handled carefully and disposed of responsibly.
Handling and Disposal
Handle CFLs with care. If you break
a CFL you can release mercury into
the atmosphere. Gently sweep up the
glass fragments and use a damp cloth
to pick up fine particles. If the
breakage is on carpet, use sticky
tape then a damp cloth to clean up
the debris prior to vacuuming. Place
all debris into a sealed plastic bag
for disposal and ventilate the room
where possible.
In Australia there is no legislation covering the disposal of CFLs and other electronic waste, therefore it is legal to place them in your household garbage bin. Contact your local recycling and waste depot for information on CFL disposal alternatives in your community. And please do not contaminate your recyclable waste with CFLs.
