Why Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)? Why is the EPA and others promoting the use of CFLs

Why Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)?
Why is the EPA and others promoting the use of CFLs

Ray Lukas

CFLs achieve up to 75% less energy than traditional light bulbs with up to 69 lumens per watt. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. And even though CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury that could ultimately end up in the environment, that amount is significantly less than the amount of mercury avoided as a result of the energy savings.

Mercury is an essential element in the operation of fluorescent lighting; it allows the bulbs to be an efficient light source. Because CFLs contain traceamounts of mercury, it is important to educate yourself on proper use, recycling and disposal of these products. For more information on recycling visit http:/earth911.com.

Because CFLs use less electricity than traditional light bulbs, they reduce demand for electricity; that reduction means less mercury is emitted from power plants. CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury - an average of 4 milligrams in each bulb. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use.

ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs last up to 10 times longer. Save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. The end user benefits from the hassle involved in frequent lamp replacement and reduced cost. Produces about 75 percent less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling. Are available in different sizes and shapes in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors.

At Yaun Company, we can provide our customers with an assortment of ENERGY STAR qualified CFL lamps, Bare Spirals, Decorative, Dimming and Reflectors from 5 to 85 watts for a full product listing and specifications. Contact our electrical department or your sales representative.