How energy efficient are compact fluorescent lightbulbs?

Mary Chipman

How energy efficient are Compact Fluorescent bulbs?

Switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs is an efficient way to save energy. Compact Fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than regular incandescent light bulbs. They provide the same amount of light and last 10 times as long. And because they generate 70% less heat than regular light bulbs they can cut the amount of energy and costs used for home cooling. (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls)

Compact Fluorescent bulbs save so much energy that if at least half of Americans would switch over to fluorescent, energy saving light bulbs, it would end the release of billions of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. If homeowners changed at least five of their frequently used lights, each home would save over $60 a year in energy costs. All together that would save Americans over $6.5 billion in energy costs. That would also prevent the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to as much as the emissions of eight million cars. (http://www.need.org/needpdf/ChangeALightTG.pdf)

Switching to fluorescent bulbs is a simple and easy way to save energy and help the environment.