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(CFLs)

Equivalent light output 

Uses at least 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light and last up to 10 times longer.

Incandescent bulbs operate at 350 degrees F in order to produce light while CFLs operate at 90 percent F to produce light. The lower operating temperature of CFLs means they are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs.

QUALITY

In addition to other quality requirements, must turn on instantly, produce no sound, and fall within a warm cool range or be otherwise labeled as providing cooler color tones

Are available in different sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors.

A spiral bulb - Despite the slightly reduced efficiency of this style CF

bulb due to the inherent excessively thick layer of phosphor on the lower

side of the twist.

Those with same appearance as incandescent bulb.  CFLs are also produced, less commonly, in other colors:

Note: Yellow lights don't attract bugs as much as white - great for exterior lighting

COST

Save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime

Generate 70 percent less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling

Incandescent Cost

75 W x 8000 hrs. x ( insert your cost ($0.08) per kw/1000 w per hr  = $48.00

Fluorescent Cost

20 W x 8000 hrs. x ( insert your cost ($0.08) per kw/1000 w per hr  = $12.80

The CFL, therefore, will save $36.00 in electricity (compared to the incandescent bulb) during its rated life. Some American discount stores sell packages of CFL’s for about $2.75 per CFL and incandescent bulbs for about $0.50 each, a $2.25 difference. The estimated payback period for buying the CFL instead of the incandescent bulb is, therefore, 500 hours, which is 100 days at 5 hours per evening.

Two additional advantages of the CFL are that the majority of these bulbs never get beyond touch-warm, making them significantly safer for children and the elderly, and providing a reduced risk of fire in homes and offices.

WHERE TO USE CFLs

To get the most savings, replace bulbs where lights are on the most, such as your family and living room, kitchen, dining room, and porch. The average U.S. household has 45 light bulbs – replacing that number of 75-watt incandescent bulbs with CFLs would save $180 per year.

COLOR TEMPERATURE

The lower the color temperature, the warmer the light. Warmness (red) or coolness (blue) can be measures in degrees Kelvin by a chroma meter.

A photograph of various light bulbs illustrates the effect of color temperature differences (left to right): 1. Compact Fluorescent 2. Incandescent 3.Compact Fluorescent 4. Compact Fluorescent

CFLs are produced in varying shades of white:

• "Warm white" or "Soft white"  provides a light very similar to that of an incandescent bulb, somewhat yellow in appearance;
• "White", "Bright White", or "Medium White" produce a yellowish-white light, whiter than an incandescent bulb but still on the warm side
• "Cool white" emit more of a pure white tone
• "Daylight" is slightly bluish-white.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHT

When purchasing florescent bulbs, be sure to check for COLOR quality and the WATTAGE. There are a variety of fluorescents that are available, but to get the right effect out of a particular room, you would need to identify the color chart presented on the packaging. Some CFLs have trouble operating in enclosed fixtures. Check the CFL’s packaging for any restrictions on uses.

Matching the right CFL to the right kind of fixture helps ensure that it will perform properly and last a long time. Read the package to be sure that the type you choose works for the fixture that you have in mind.

Soft white                    Bright white                  Day light