A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), more commonly known as an energy saving light bulb, is a type of fluorescent lamp. The energy saving light bulb has been designed to replace the standard incandescent lamp that most people still use. They fit the same standard lighting fixtures as incandescent bulbs, so no new fixtures are required after purchase.
Energy saving light bulbs emit the same amount of visible light, but use less energy and have a longer rated life. While the purchase price of an integrated energy saving bulb is typically 3-10 times that of an equivalent incandescent lamp, the longer life and lower energy use will more than make up for the higher initial cost. Energy saving light bulbs can save approximately £20 in electricity costs over the course of a year.
The average rating of these bulbs is 8 to 15 times that of an incandescent bulb and they typically have a rated life of 6,000 to 15,000 hours, while incandescent lamps are generally manufactured to have a useful life of 750 hours or 1000 hours. For a given light output, eco-friendly bulbs use 20 to 33 percent of the wattage of equivalent incandescent bulbs. Around ten per cent of UK household carbon emissions come from light bulbs, so the environmental benefit of these bulbs could be very significant.
Energy saving light bulbs are manufactured for both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) input. DC energy saving light bulbs are popular for use in RVs as well as for home use. They can also run on solar-powered street lighting, using solar panels located on the top or sides of a pole and light fixtures that are specially wired to use the lamps, making them even greener. Incandescent bulbs reach full brightness a fraction of a second after turning on. As of 2009 [update], energy saving bulbs also turn on in a second, but may take a while to warm up to full intensity. Some energy-saving bulbs are marketed as “instant-on” and don’t have a noticeable warm-up time scale, but others can take up to sixty seconds to reach full brightness or longer in very cold temperatures.
Almost a quarter of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy used every day in our homes. By saving energy, we can all help prevent climate change. The environment is now everyone’s concern and we all have a responsibility to reduce emissions, waste and our energy use, and what easier way to do your part than to change the light bulbs in your home.