Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com discusses the energy and cost saving benefits of using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL bulbs).

Video Transcription

Hi. I’m Mark Donovan from HomeAdditionPlus.com. And today, I’m going to talk to you about the benefits of using compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home. The real benefit of using Energy Star qualifying compact fluorescent light bulbs is not the money that you’re going to save using it. First of all, it lasts ten times longer than your standard incandescent bulb. And second of all, they use 75% less power than your standard incandescent bulb. And the cost of a compact fluorescent light bulb starts anywhere from about $2 or $3 up to maybe $5 or $7 per bulb. It is well worth the investment over the life of bulb. Typically, a compact fluorescent light bulb will save you an average around $30 to $35 over the life of the bulb compared to using the traditional incandescent bulbs. What you’re looking at are just two examples of compact fluorescent light bulb technology today. There are many different styles to choose from today for all different types of lighting applications. Compact fluorescent light bulbs radiate energy in a different light spectrum compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. And consequentially, the shades of light is different significantly in earlier compact fluorescent light bulb technology. However, the manufacturers of compact fluorescent light bulbs have made significant advance in CFL technology in recent years. Today’s compact fluorescent light bulbs are available in many shapes, sizes and shades of light and the light they produce is nothing like the traditional incandescent lamps very similarly. Well, there are many varieties of compact fluorescent light bulbs used for all different types of applications. In general, compact fluorescent light bulbs work better in open light fixtures. The only slight not with compact fluorescent light bulbs is they contain a minute quantity of mercury in them and thus need to be disposed off properly or recycled properly, and you need to check with your local area to see how to recycle them properly. Also in the event of a breakage, you need to follow specific instructions on how to handle the spill. At a high level, you need to open a window, leave the room for a minimum of 15 minutes and come back. And using a stiff piece of paper or cardboard, scoop up the broken glass and dust and put it in a sealed container such a double plastic bag or a sealed glass container and then take that to the recycling plant. And then third, use a piece of duct tape or sticky tape and pat over the area to pick up again any small minute particles of dust of broken glass. And finally, vacuum the area if necessary and then properly dispose off the vacuum or the dust contents in a sealed container and then again take that to the recycling facility. So the next time you’re at your local home improvement store, stop by the compact fluorescent light bulbs and pick yourself up a few. You’ll save a bundle over the life of the bulbs and energy cost as well as involved cost and you’ll be doing something to conserve energy. If you got other home improvement questions, visit us at HomeAdditionPlus.com today.