Wesley Denham uses compact fluorescent bulbs to reduce his electric bill and reduce pollution.

Task lighting instead of ceiling lights also reduces his use of electricity.

      

Just go ahead and throw away your incandescent light bulbs. Even though you are throwing away bulbs that haven’t burned out yet, you will save money and help the environment by switching to compact fluorescent bulbs.

CFLs last up to ten times longer and typically use about 75% less electricity than regular bulbs. This means that for each bulb you switch, you will save about $30 or more, even with the higher purchase price of CFLs. 

Using less electricity from coal burning power plants prevents greenhouse gas pollution.

CFLs also prevent mercury pollution, even though CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury. This is because mercury pollution is caused by burning coal for electricity and CFLs use so much less electricity.

"CFLs present an opportunity to prevent mercury from entering our air, where it most affects our health," according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

CFLs generally come with five year warrenties. Save the receipt! If the bulb fails within the warrenty period you can return it to the store. 

When you need to dispose of a CFL bulb without recycling available, you should seal the bulb in two plastic bags and store it outside or in a protected location before it goes for trash collection.

If you break one, you should clean it up with the least amount of exposure. You can find instructions for clean up, as well as other information about CFLs  at energystar.gov. 

You should open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes to let any dust settle. Use disposable gloves if available. Scoop up the contents with cardboard,  wet paper towels or sticky tape (such as duct tape), and seal it all of this in two plastic bags. If the broken bulb was on carpet, you can vacuum after the cleanup described. Then remove the vacuum bag or clean the cannister, also putting this garbage in two plastic bags.

All sorts of CFLs are now available, from globe and candle bulbs to various sizes of flood lights. Some are designed to be used with dimmer switches.

Like regular bulbs, CFLs vary in brightness and color tone.  The light varies by type or brand, but not by price. Find a brand of bulbs which has the color of light you like.

Changing to compact fluorescent bulbs is an important step in fighting pollution and the climate change crisis. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says, “Change a light, and you help change the world.”

Copyright 2008 Christine Missik