Swapping out your incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lights is one of the easiest eco-friendly changes you can make at home. Though CFLs have a higher price tag than regular light bulbs, they offer extraordinary savings in the long run, both for your pocketbook and the environment. (Find out exactly how much with this Get Green Savings Calculator.)
So what are you waiting for? For five reasons to switch to CFLs right now, read more
- CFLs use about 70 to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. According to Energy Star, if everyone replaced just one regular bulb with a CFL, the country could save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year.
- They last up to 10 times longer than old-fashioned bulbs, which means getting out the ladder to replace them that much less often.
- The bulbs give off a nice, warm light — not the harsh, cold glare you're used to with fluorescent tubes.
- CFLs come in many varieties and can be used with dimmer switches and three-way lighting.
- They also give off less heat than regular bulbs, so you overall home-cooling costs are likely to go down as well.
Penhaligon
Temperley London
D&G
We did this when we bought our house, it was something like 35 bulbs we replaced. But it was definitely worth it! We saw a reduction in our very first electric bill.
1i highly recommend people switch but be aware of how to properly dispose of them since most have low levels of mercury in them.
2Even though I rent, I use flourescent...
3Which ones are brighter? I need really bright lights...my apartment is kind of dark and I work best in the light. I have no clue about lighting...what are the brightest bulbs I can get (while hopefully staying green)?? Thanks!
4you can buy a 60 watt version of the green one... or even higher watts
5i have these all over the place. i love how they give off so little heat and last so long, plus they are so customizable in terms of wattage, warm vs. cool light etc.
6We've swapped out every bulb in our house, too. It is so nice not to have to worry about replacing bulbs all the time!
7do they make these lights in various sizes? my bedroom uses what looks like spotlights, not joking.
8We are gradually swapping our old bulbs out. It's so worth it!
9YeS CASA SUGAR, you are the bomb! i'm so so glad you posted this, the switch to the florecent lights is essential to live a 'green' life (something i expect we all strive to do!) - thanks for kicking off with such a fabulous environmentally friendly post!!!
check out other environmentally friendly things you can do to reduce your daily impact here: http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/
YAYAYAY!!! I'm so excited you posted this!
:)
10They make 100 watt equivalents now. Make sure, if you're using them on a dimmer you get ones designed for that, or they burn out fast (lesson learned here!). They even make smaller, lower profile ones now (so light fixture covers on ceilings still fit
11Switching to these energy efficient lights really helped out in college. We've also switched out the lights in our new home. Walmart was having a sale last weekend 70 cents each. Hubby and I bought extra's just in case....not sure about the wattage though.
12casa verde all the way.
13My roomate and I put these new bulbs in our new apartment last week. The light looks better and I am anxious to see what the difference is on our bill!
14Love love love the "green" post. Keep them coming!
15Costco is offering an instant rebate right now on the bulbs which made them less expensive anyway!
16thank you casasugar for this green tip...i work in the environmental industry and this is, indeed, a great way for people to make a difference!
17I'm glad someone else mentioned the mercury. I love these bulbs, but most advertisements don't seem to mention that they need to be properly disposed of when they burn out.
FYI, on the package, there is a website address that will help you find a proper disposal site near you.
18we are slowly changing over. i really hate them--only because the lamp shades don't fit over them as well as normal bulbs. but i like that they help with the environment and save money. plus they also take some time to warm up compared to the old ones. but i am trying to help the environment--SAVE THE EARTH! lol. so it's not too bad and i suppose i can "suffer" thru the qualities i don't care so much for to say i am helping the earth.
19We've been changing over to these. If you want to save a few bucks check out your local Sam's Club or Costco, because they sell them in large packs for a much lower price.
20I don't know if most people have an IKEA nearby - but if you do you should get your CFL's from there - they have so many sizes and wattages and even have the kind that have a rubbery cover so that if they fall they don't spread the mercury around as well as don't make a huge mess. they take recycled CFL bulbs (and batteries) there also - even if you didn't buy it from there. if you have a busted bulb or change your mind on the shape or whatever it is so easy to return stuff there - plus their prices on bulbs are second to none! you can see what the light from a CFL will look like in their stores as they often have a bunch on display.
21Maybe I'm buying the wrong ones, but mine tend to burn out fairly quickly.
22We just started to cut over to these and I'm not noticing any problems with them not being as bright. We have some that are special dimmer bulbs and I do notice that they are "noisy" at dimmed levels. Not sure if that is just while they are warming up or not as I can't take the noise and just do it full brightness. Oh and power saving tip: a dimmed bulb takes just as much energy as one on full brightness. If you can get away with turning them off that is the best
23i changed all my bulbs when i moved into my apartment. it's been almost 2 years & i haven't had to change a single one yet!
24Every one of these I've bought, I have not had to change yet. It's been about 2 years for me too!
25all are lights have been replaced with these! I feels good to save money
26I too have replaced all the lights in my home with these...they work great.
27I have bought CFLS and they didnt last....seriously.
28I prefer the brightest lighting I can get, because I function a lot better in bright lighting, and it makes putting makeup on a lot easier for me than dim lighting. I was so excited a few weeks ago to learn that they have the "Daylight" version of compact fluorescent lights, which are brighter than the original bulb and mimic the color of natural sunlight. I love them! The only downside to buying these bulbs is that these aren't sold in multi-packs, and are more expensive at about $8 a light bulb.
29save the world!
30i love these lightbulbs
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