Just the facts...on CFL's

Very effective white task light from CFL fixtures.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are one way that you can reduce your personal energy consumption and help eliminate your production of greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming. With growing availability of low cost CFL's and fixtures that use them, here is a brief fact sheet on their use. 

• What is a CFL? CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamp.  It is a smaller version of the fluorescent lamps that have been used to provide energy-efficient light for offices, factories, stores and schools. 

• How long do CFL's last?  They last about ten times (10X) longer while using 75% less energy.

• Why are they called lamps instead of bulbs? In industry terminology, a lamp is a device that generates light when connected to electric power.  The term bulb is used to describe the glassware before it is made into a functional lamp.  In the lighting industry, what users call a lamp, is called a fixture or luminaire.

Savings are clear.

• What is the purpose of the shape?  Standard fluorescent lamps are constructed in long, thin tubes in order to generate light while using the least amount of electricity.  In order to fit CFLs into a lighting fixture designed for incandescent lamps, the long, thin tube must be coiled into a spiral or folded back on itself multiple times.

•  Can I use a CFL that says it is equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent lamp in a fixture that says "maximum wattage 120"?   Yes. The power limit listed on the tag is designed to prevent overheating of the fixture. Since a CFL that provides the same light as a 100-watt incandescent lamp will use only about 25 watts, it can safely be used in your fixture. However, the life of CFLs is reduced when they are operated at elevated temperatures. While the 25-watt CFL will not overheat the fixture, the fixture may cause the lamp to operate at a high enough temperature to reduce its life. If the fixture is small, or is totally enclosed, you may want to use only lower power CFLs in that fixture.

• Some people don't like CFLs because they don't like the way things look the same as they do with an incandescent lamp. Can that be helped?  Yes. CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, are sold in various color temperatures called Correlated Color Temperature (CCT). Typical incandescent lamps have a  CCT that ranges from about 2700K to 2900K. Most CFLs are made with CCT's ranging from 2700K to 6000K. To stay away from the blue-green light, look for names like natural white or soft white or a CCT of 3000K.

Easy to use and last a long time.

• What are some bases a screw-base and some a pin-base? Most CFLs used in homes have an Edison screw base on the bottom.  These are commonly known as screw-base CFLs.  The power supply used to operate the CFL - the "ballast"  - is enclosed in the plastic shell located between the glass part and the Edison screw base.  Pin-base CFLs have small plastic bases with 2 or 4 pins protruding from the bottom.  The base does not contain a ballast.  They are designed to be used with ballasts that are mounted in special fixtures designed for the pin-base.  

• Can dimmers be uses with CFLs? Yes, check the label. While some screw-bass CFLs do not work with dimmers designed for use with incandescent lamps, those that are will be labeled "dimmable".

• Do CFLs contain mercury?  Yes, about 5 mg or 1/6000th of an ounce.  Home Depot stores have a recycling bin for used CFL's.

• What should I do if I break a CFL? 

1. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid or a sealed plastic bag. 
2. On carpets and soft surfaces, use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass pieces and powder.
3.  Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. 
4. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag. 
5. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. 
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
7. Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials. 
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area.
10. It is not recommended that you keep bedding that mercury has been spilled on, and don't wash it and contaminate the washer or the water.