Go fluorescent!

Arkansas Business, Jan 21, 2008 by Casey L. Penn

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Go fluorescent! You may not make the A--list of green celebrities, but by using Energy Star-rated compact fluorescent bulbs in your home, you can lower your electric bill, change light-bulbs less frequently and yes, even improve life on this planet. Now there's a lightbulb moment.

In the aisle of my local mega-hardware store, I find, just steps from the trusty incandescent lightbulbs, an impressive selection of compact fluorescent bulbs. Each package has an Energy Star logo, and the display shelf boldly reads "Compact Fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use 75 percent less energy and last up to 13 times longer than standard incandescent lightbulbs."

Simply by choosing the right lightbulb, I can save energy. The display goes on to inform me that by replacing only five bulbs with CFLs, I can save up to $60 per year on my energy bill. That would make me a money-saving environmentalist, something I always thought was an oxymoron. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, swapping just one 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL could save you $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Defense Fund are among many groups recommending energy-efficient CFLs as an easy way to save energy and help the environment. The EPA's Energy Star program promotes energy-efficient products and practices. The program promises that "if every home in America replaced just one incandescent lightbulb with an Energy Star-qualified CFL, it would save enough energy in one year to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars."

Here in Arkansas, state officials are joining forces with Entergy Arkansas to encourage all Arkansans to take part in the "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign. Through the cam paign (found at Energystar.gov), consumers pledge to replace one or more standard lightbulbs in their home with an Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent lightbulb. Energy Star CFLs beat traditional bulbs in energy usage, longevity and, in the long run, cost.

Not Your Father's Fluorescents

Many of us suffer from preconceived notions about CFLs. They were known for emitting harsh, blue light and a mind-numbing buzz.

But CFLs have come a long way. If you buy them in compact form, they're economical, buzz free and--if you pick the right one can rival the warm glow of your favorite candle.

Incandescent bulbs, perfected by Thomas Edison in 1879, still have their place. But these beloved bulbs put off energy--and money-wasting heat. CFLs provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs, but they produce one-fourth the heat.

Choices abound in CFLs. If you don't mind the harsh, bright light, go with the cheapest CFLs, which experts say can be made less severe through some simple modifications. For instance, use a dark lamp shade rather than a white one to diffuse the light. Diffused or not, bright white CFLs are a money-saving choice for laundry rooms, basements, garages or other rooms where quantity trumps quality of light.

CFLs don't have to be spiral-shaped and bright white. They come in multiple shapes and brightness levels. Soft white bulbs put off a softer, more traditional glow and come in round globe shapes, traditional bulb shapes, track lighting and other specialized shapes for your indoor and outdoor fixtures. You can even buy CFLs specifically for use with dimmers.

Check out Environmentaldefense.org. There, you can enter your own criteria and the site will pick the best bulb for you. There's also a complete list of energy-saving bulbs, tips on installation, reviews and a calculator to help you determine your savings.

Please Don't Toss 'Era

Even these longer-lasting bulbs won't burn forever, and when they burn out, experts ask that you don't just toss them in the trash. CFLs contain a minuscule amount of mercury. The mercury in CFLs is not released when the bulbs are intact or in use, but there are precautions for their use and disposal.

In other words, don't throw them in the trash can. Broken bulbs can emit a trace amount of mercury And since they are made of glass, take care when installing them, never forcing them into place. If they do break, the EPA provides proper clean-up tips at Energystar.gov, along with suggestions on recycling.

Here in Arkansas, you can take your used or broken CFLs to a Regional Solid Waste Management District near you. In Pulaski County, there are five household chemical collection centers (Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock, County Sanitation and in Little Rock) with one on the way in Maumelle (scheduled for a summer 2008 open).

For more information on locations and hours of operation (applies only to Pulaski County), call (501) 340-8787. Outside of central Arkansas, call the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Helpline at (501) 682-0923 or ADEQ's Recycling Branch at (501) 682 0812.

Check out these sites for more information:

www.18seconds.org