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The Good and Bad of the New Light Bulb
By Karin Beery
It's no secret that people are becoming more environmentally aware. They're "going green" at home and at the office. The federal governmental has even joined the cause with the passing of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In it, the government promises "to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security... [and to] increase efficiency of products".
The easiest way to find out about energy efficient products is to visit www.EnergyStar.gov. Energy Star is a governmental department jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to "[help] us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices".
One such product that you can buy to help the cause is the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). The new CFL bulb has received the Energy Star stamp of approval for two reasons.
First is its efficiency. A CFL uses 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, which uses only 10% of its energy for light (the rest burns off as heat). Because less energy is needed, the strain on power plants will lessen. When the power plants don't need to produce so much energy, pollution will decrease. An efficient CFL is good for the environment.
Another major benefit is savings. Because of its efficiency, the cost to use a CFL is significantly lower than using incandescents. Energy Star estimates a typical home will see savings of $15/month, or $180/year. The "Efficiency Maine" program ran the numbers and estimates that the consumers in their state will save a total of $64 million in their lifetimes simply by switching light bulbs.
While this information is encouraging,, there are some precautions that consumers must understand before they swap out all of their incandescents.
It is true that a CFL can last years longer than a traditional bulb, but only if used properly. For example, quick uses of the bulb (less than fifteen minutes), high humidity areas (bathrooms), and enclosed light fixtures can all shorten the life of a CFL. Because I didn't read the directions on a CFL that I purchased, it burned out in a year in an enclosed fixture. Considering the cost of a CFL can be 200% more than an incandescent, it won't save you money if you aren't aware of the proper way to use it.
Of greater concern, though, is the mercury in each bulb. A CFL can contain up to 5mg of mercury vapor. If the bulb is used and disposed of properly, there shouldn't be any problems. If uninformed, however, consumers can risk their health and the environment by carelessly handling and disposing of a bulb.
Mercury is considered a toxic substance. Because of this, a broken CFL cannot simply be swept up and thrown away. To ensure consumer safety, there is an extensive six-step process at Energy Star's website. This will guide you through clean-up procedure. However, this process does not ensure the removal of all mercury from the home; it only decreases the chances of heavy metal exposure.
Another hazard to consider is that of the environment. There are currently no laws or regulations dictating how to dispose of a CFL. The EPA and Energy Star suggest sealing your bulb in two plastic bags before throwing it away, but there is no guarantee that the mercury won't seep into the ground at the landfill.
The preferred method is recycling, but not all recycling center accept mercury-filled bulbs. If you don't have a way to recycle CFL's near you, try www.recycleyourcfl.com. Though there is a charge, they will send you everything you need to safely dispose of up to 15 bulbs.
As you can see, the compact fluorescent lightbulb has the potential to protect the environment and save you money, but only if used properly. Make sure to read the packages carefully. See what the manufacturer recommends, and follow their advice. Carelessness can be costly, but an educated consumer can make the CFL both effective and efficient.