Light bulbs (CFLs) for Consumers

Did You Know? If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR light, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars. Overview An ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. Related Information: How CFLs Work Recycling & Mercury Specifications Current Specification Effective Date: December 2008 Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in 1999. Learn How a Product Earns the Label Buying Guidance What else should I look for when buying compact fluorescent light bulbs? Choosing between the various types of CFLs and deciding where to use them can be daunting. Here you'll find guidance on choosing the right bulbs for your fixtures and locating a convenient retailer. For an interactive learning experience, click on the Choose a Light Guide. Related Information: Look for the ENERGY STAR How much light? Find the right shade How to choose FAQs These are the top FAQs related to Light bulbs (CFLs) and the ENERGY STAR program.

1. Should I throw away my "regular" (incandescent) light bulbs and replace them with CFLs?
2. How can I get free CFL bulbs to give away?
3. What’s the difference between an ENERGY STAR fixture and a standard fixture (same style/size) using ENERGY STAR CFLs?
4. How much do ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs cost?
5. My light fixture is for a 75 watt bulb. Can I use a CFL equivalent to 100 watts, as long as it uses less than 75 watts of power?
6. I want to replace my incandescent light bulbs. How do I select the best CFL?
7. How should I clean up a broken compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)?
8. Can I use a CFL with an electronic control such as an electronic timer, photo sensor, motion sensors, touch lamps, and remote light control?
9. What are “long life” incandescent light bulbs?
10. Can Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) be used in recessed cans, outdoor lights, or track lighting?

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