• CFLs represent the best value for consumers today, because they use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. A CFL that has the Energy Star label can save more than $40 in electricity costs over its lifetime.
• Consumers who replace still-working traditional bulbs with Energy Star CFLs can recover their costs in about six months. After that, they will continue to benefit from the 75 percent energy savings each bulb offers, and they won’t have to change the bulbs for about nine years.
How to compare
Instead of watts, consumers should compare lumens. A lumen measures how much light a bulb will provide, whereas watts measure how much power it uses.
Instead of watts, consumers should compare lumens. A lumen measures how much light a bulb will provide, whereas watts measure how much power it uses.
• If you used to buy 100 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 1600 lumens.
• If you used to buy 75 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 1100 lumens.
• If you used to buy 60 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 800 lumens.
• If you used to buy 40 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 450 lumens.
As the government starts to phase out the standard incandescent bulbs that many people have used in their homes for years, we all have to move to alternatives. The two main options at this point are CFL, and LED technology. CFLs are by far the cheaper alternative, as LED technology is still evolving. Make sure that you start changing out your light bulbs for something more energy efficient. You can be a good steward of you money and the environment at the same time.
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