Compact Fluorescent
Lightbulbs
Compact Fluorescent
Lightbulbs
Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is a
simple way to use electricity smarter, use less
electricity and help reduce the heat-trapping gases
that contribute to global warming.
Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is a
simple way to use electricity smarter, use less
electricity and help reduce the heat-trapping gases
that contribute to global warming.
Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Remember the Easy Bake Oven? The heat source
was a simple incandescent light bulb. These bulbs
are amazingly inefficient, creating more heat than
light.
Remember the Easy Bake Oven? The heat source
was a simple incandescent light bulb. These bulbs
are amazingly inefficient, creating more heat than
light.
On average, CFLs use only about 20-25 percent of
the electricity of incandescent bulbs to produce the
same amount of light. Replacing incandescents with
CFLs decreases the amount of electricity power
plants have to make and, in turn, the amount of heattrapping gases, smog, soot, and other pollution they
make.
On average, CFLs use only about 20-25 percent of
the electricity of incandescent bulbs to produce the
same amount of light. Replacing incandescents with
CFLs decreases the amount of electricity power
plants have to make and, in turn, the amount of heattrapping gases, smog, soot, and other pollution they
make.
If each U.S. family replaced just one incandescent
with a CFL, the electricity saved each year could
light three million homes and prevent as much
global warming pollution as 800,000 cars.
If each U.S. family replaced just one incandescent
with a CFL, the electricity saved each year could
light three million homes and prevent as much
global warming pollution as 800,000 cars.
Money Saving
Money Saving
Often, CFLs may cost more than incandescent bulbs
up front, but they use much less electricity, saving
money in the long run. They also last much longer
than incandescent bulbs, making them ideal for hardto-reach fixtures. According to the federal
government, a single CFL will save you an average
of $35 over its six- to eight-year lifespan, based on
an electricity cost of $0.10 per kilowatt-hour.
Often, CFLs may cost more than incandescent bulbs
up front, but they use much less electricity, saving
money in the long run. They also last much longer
than incandescent bulbs, making them ideal for hardto-reach fixtures. According to the federal
government, a single CFL will save you an average
of $35 over its six- to eight-year lifespan, based on
an electricity cost of $0.10 per kilowatt-hour.
Mercury content
Mercury content
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury –
about enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. And
while incandescent bulbs have no mercury, the
electricity used to light the incandescent bulb creates
almost five times more mercury than the small bit in
the CFL.
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury –
about enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. And
while incandescent bulbs have no mercury, the
electricity used to light the incandescent bulb creates
almost five times more mercury than the small bit in
the CFL.
On average, each CFL contains less than five
milligrams of mercury. As a comparison, the typical
thermostat and thermometer contain 3,000
milligrams and 300 milligrams of mercury,
respectively.
On average, each CFL contains less than five
milligrams of mercury. As a comparison, the typical
thermostat and thermometer contain 3,000
milligrams and 300 milligrams of mercury,
respectively.
CFL usage reduces the amount of mercury in our
environment.
CFL usage reduces the amount of mercury in our
environment.
Recycling
Recycling
The very small amount of mercury in CFLs is sealed
within glass tubing. But to be safe, the bulbs should
be recycled properly.
The very small amount of mercury in CFLs is sealed
within glass tubing. But to be safe, the bulbs should
be recycled properly.
No mercury is released when CFL bulbs are
intact or in use.
No mercury is released when CFL bulbs are
intact or in use.
Newer lamps have much lower levels of mercury.
They are not considered hazardous waste and can be
disposed on a landfill.
Newer lamps have much lower levels of mercury.
They are not considered hazardous waste and can be
disposed on a landfill.

Places to recycle your CFLs:
 Home Depot
 Ikea
 By mail
 The Lamp Factory stores
 Friedman Electric stores

Places to recycle your CFLs:
 Home Depot
 Ikea
 By mail
 The Lamp Factory stores
 Friedman Electric stores
Check with local conservation organizations, utilities
and your county for more sources to recycle CFLs.
Check with local conservation organizations, utilities
and your county for more sources to recycle CFLs.
Breakage clean-up
Breakage clean-up
With the small amount of mercury in a CFL, there is
no need to panic if one breaks.
With the small amount of mercury in a CFL, there is
no need to panic if one breaks.
Open the windows and let the room air out for 15
minutes, then remove as much material as possible.
Open the windows and let the room air out for 15
minutes, then remove as much material as possible.
Scoop the glass onto a piece of cardboard and wipe
the area with a wet paper towel into a glass jar with a
lid, or a sealable plastic bag.
Scoop the glass onto a piece of cardboard and wipe
the area with a wet paper towel into a glass jar with a
lid, or a sealable plastic bag.
On hard surfaces, use duct tape to pull up the
fragments and wash your hands after cleaning up the
debris. On carpeting, you may want to vacuum after
you’ve picked up the visible debris; just discard the
bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag
when finished.
On hard surfaces, use duct tape to pull up the
fragments and wash your hands after cleaning up the
debris. On carpeting, you may want to vacuum after
you’ve picked up the visible debris; just discard the
bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag
when finished.
Place the sealed jar or plastic bag in your trash
outside for pickup.
Place the sealed jar or plastic bag in your trash
outside for pickup.
For more information, contact:
Pam Fendrock
Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture)
www.pennfuture.org
570.208.0735 .|. fendrock@pennfuture.org
For more information, contact:
Pam Fendrock
Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture)
www.pennfuture.org
570.208.0735 .|. fendrock@pennfuture.org