Global Warming Challenge #2
Home Lighting
- Action:
- Replace at least 5 regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs.Replace at least 5 regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs.
- Alternative Action:
- If you already use compact fluorescents as much as possible, give least 5 compact fluorescent bulbs to a friend or relative.
- Follow-up Action:
- Turn off lights in all rooms you are not using or plan to use within 1/2 hour. You may leave on one hall light. Do this for 2 consecutive months.
- Disposal:
- CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and must be disposed of properly. For a free drop-off appointment, call the County's Household Hazardous Waste Program at (408) 299-7300 or visit www.hhw.org. You can also take them to participating locations including most Orchard Supply Hardware and Ace Hardware stores. A complete list is available at www.hhw.org.
- Wattage:
- The wattage rating on lamps and fixtures is the actual wattage, which is much lower with CFs. So, for example if your fixture says "60 watts" maximum, it is fine to use a 23 watt CF.
- For most types of lamps, the "equivalent" CF wattage does provide as much lighting due to the way light is radiated from the spiral bulb.
- So, it is usually better to buy a slightly higher wattage CF. It takes only a little more energy and certainly is better than giving up and not using a CF at all!
| Incandescent Wattage |
"equivalent" CF Wattage |
Type of Use | Suggested CF Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 9 | Ambient / background light | 9 or 13 watts |
| 40 | 9 | Reading / task lighting | 13 watts |
| 60 | 13 | Ambient / background light | 13 or 18 watts |
| 60 | 13 | Reading / task lighting | 18 watts |
| 75 | 18 | Ambient / background light | 18 or 23 watts |
| 75 | 18 | Reading / task lighting | 23 watts |
| 100 | 23 | Ambient / background light | 23 watts or a little more ** |
| 100 | 23 | Reading / task lighting | 23 watts or a little more ** |
|
** CFs over 23 watts are much more expensive. So try the 23 watt CFs and only spend the extra $$ if that's not bright enough for you |
|||
- Bulb Life:
- Try to buy bulbs with a life of at least 10,000 hours
- Special Situations:
- Visible Bulbs (where spiral looks ugly): CFs are available in standard globe shape. They are somewhat more expensive but still pretty affordable if you consider the energy savings.
- Recessed Lighting Spiral and global shaped CFs do not work well since almost all the light is ‘"st" in the can. Special CFs are available for recessed lights but they are very expensive. If cost is an issue for you, maybe just replace 1 or 2 with CFs and turn of all the others whenever possible
-
Dimmable Fixtures You can install a regular CF
(spiral or globe) in a dimmable fixture but it will no
longer be dimmable (and sometimes the CF makes noise).
Special dimmable CFs are available but they are very
expensive. If cost is an issue for you, keep the fixture
off or on dimmed setting (which does use fewer watts)
- Where to Buy:
- The best price is at Drug Barn which has good CFS at "4 for $1". That price may not last long
- The Dollar Store has good CFs at $1 apiece.
- Stores like Home Depot and OSH sometimes have sales with prices of about $1 (in mulit-packs)
- Stores like Longs an Walgreens do not in general have good prices.
- Note: Specialty CFs are not available at discount stores. Best bet is hardware store or online.
Address: 15980 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Phone: (408) 358-1212
Email: admin@uuflg.org