How to Replacing Fluorescent Lighting With Regular

So you have some fluorescent lighting you don't like, and you're considering replacing it with regular incandescent light fixtures. But before you go that route, consider the impact to your electric bill and your carbon footprint. Incandescent lighting requires multiples more electricity to operate than fluorescent lighting, producing a corresponding spike in your electric bill as well as in carbon emissions to generate the required electricity. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Consider your bottom line. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost more up front than do incandescent bulbs. However, in studies by the U.S. Department of Energy, one 23 watt compact fluorescent bulb lasts as long as six 100 watt incandescent bulbs and will run you less than half the total cost to replace and operate incandescent bulbs over the life of the lone compact fluorescent bulb.

2. Decide whether you are OK increasing your carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon emissions required to maintain your lifestyle. Operating a 100 watt incandescent light bulb for 10,000 hours produces about 1,304 pounds of carbon emissions. In comparison, a 23 watt compact fluorescent light (which produces the equivalent of 100 watts of incandescent light) produces about 308 pounds. Aside from saving you money, compact fluorescent lights can help you save the environment.

3. Research and purchase the new fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs. If you're considering switching your fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs to incandescent or halogen because you don't like the quality of the light they produce, try some of the new technology available. Today's compact fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs are not the ones you are used to hearing hum and see flicker during your school days. They cast a much richer, warmer range of light that is nearly indiscernible from the cozy incandescent lighting we are all used to at home.

4. Test out a few of the new compact fluorescent light bulbs in your existing incandescent or halogen lighting fixtures. You don't have to upgrade to new fixtures, although doing so will save you even more money over the long run.

5. Plan to see your electric bill skyrocket. If, after trying the new technology, you decide you truly are dissatisfied with the performance of compact fluorescent bulbs and you replace them with incandescent or halogen bulbs, your electric bill will increase due to the fact that incandescent bulbs cost 75% more to operate than compact fluorescent ones.

Tips & Warnings

• Many utility companies offer rebates on compact fluorescent light fixtures and bulbs. You can buy the fixtures and bulbs at retail stores or through your electric company if they offer that service. Your best bet is to contact your electric company for more information as each offers its own incentives.