Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Facts
Compact Flourescent Lights (CFL) are argon and mercury-based bulbs that are becoming a popular choice among consumers and businesses seeking to save money on electrical costs. CFL lights combine energy savings in the area of wattage, electrical use and bulb life with the same illumination that one might get from a standard light bulb that gives off incandescent light.
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Energy Savings
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CFL bulbs can help save money and energy. Energystar.gov reports that one CFL bulb can save enough energy to light three million homes for one year and save $600 million in energy costs (as of 2009). And while CFLs can't actually help a car cut down on carbon-based emissions, one CFL is the equivalent to eliminating greenhouse gases in over 800,000 vehicles.
Against Incandescent Bulbs
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Incandescent bulbs have been the standard for home and office lighting for decades. But CFLs trump incandescent bulbs in many ways. Consumers who use one CFL can save $30 over the lifetime of the bulb compared to an incandescent bulb. That cost savings allows the consumer to recoup their investment within six months. In addition, a CFL uses 75 percent less energy and lasts 10 times longer than standard bulbs.
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Why it Works
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CFL bulbs work the way they do because of their materials. The lamp part of the bulb looks like a coil, which contains argon and mercury vapor. The electric current uses the argon and mercury to give off ultraviolet light and illuminates the fluorescent coating of the bulb. This combination allows the CFL to work more efficiently than the incandescent light, which uses a metal filament to emit light.
Bulb Life
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CFL bulbs are not only designed to save money, but they're designed to last a long time. The average CFL bulb can last up to 8,000 hours based on typical household use. That's the equivalent of more than seven years.
Wattage
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CFL bulbs use much less wattage than incandescent bulbs, but this low wattage has an incandescent equivalent. For instance, CFLs that feature 8 to 10 watts would be considered 40-watt standard bulbs. A CFL that is 13 to 18 watts is the same as a 60-watt bulb. Even 150-watt standard bulbs have a CFL equivalent, which is anywhere from 34 to 42 watts. The benefit is less power, but the same illumination.
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