How Much Would Compact Fluorescent Lights Save?

A Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb can save up to $105 in its lifetime.

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) offer savings in a range of areas, from lowering electricity bills to cutting cooling costs, to reducing the number of lightbulb replacements needed over time. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a CFL bulb can offer combined savings of up to $105 in the course of its lifetime.

Savings on Electricity

A CFL uses 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb. This means that energy costs associated with lighting, up to a quarter of the average household's electric bill, would be consequently reduced by 75 percent with the use of CFLs.

Savings on Cooling and Ventilation

Standard incandescent bulbs emit 75 percent of the energy through heat instead of light, adding extra warmth to the home that must then be counteracted with increased air conditioning and ventilation. Since CFLs produce only 25 percent as much heat as incandescent bulbs, using CFLs can reduce energy waste and cut down on expenditures associating with home cooling.

Savings on Hardware

CFLs last 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. While CFLs do cost more--a CFL bulb might cost $3.40, while an incandescent might cost as little as $0.60--they easily pay for themselves over time in hardware costs alone. A CFL will need to be replaced only once every four to five years, while an incandescent bulb must be replaced every five to six months.

References

• Energy Star: Light Bulbs (CFLs) for Consumers
• U.S. Department of Energy: How Compact Fluorescents Compare with Incandescents