Video:What Are Environmentally Friendly Light Bulbs?

Transcript:What Are Environmentally Friendly Light Bulbs?

Hi I’m Christopher Padgett, an environmental scientist, for about.com and today we’ll be talking about the environment. A very simple task that you can do in your home and office to help the environment is to change a light bulb. Easy right?

Eco-Friendly Fluorescent Lights

Most households have regular incandescent light bulbs in their lighting fixtures. If you switched that bulb out with a compact fluorescent light bulb, it would help prevent greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The best places to switch the old bulbs out for the new eco friendly ones would be in the rooms with the most use. The first thing you will notice about the compact fluorescent light bulb is the design. It strays from the classic design of the traditional light bulb.

The cfl bulb has a utilitarian, tubular design, which has drawn some criticism from homeowners. However, you can’t discount what the bulb can do. CFLs have two main components, a gas-filled tube and magnetic or electronic ballast. They are produced for both alternating current and direct current, making them a popular choice for recreational vehicles and off the grid housing.

Light Bulbs Save Energy and Money

On average you will save between 30 and 50 dollars on energy bills over the life of the bulb. These bulbs use two thirds less energy, and generate less heat than the standard incandescent bulb. They also have a much longer lifespan, about 8-15 times longer, which helps save you money in the long run. The lifespan can vary on the voltage, and frequency of use.

Finding the right wattage may be tricky, as cfl bulbs need fewer watts to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. For example, if you were to replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb, you’d want a cfl bulb that is about 15 watts. They typically use about one quarter of the wattage of an incandescent. One of the first major companies to bring these bulbs mainstream was Philips. Many more have quickly jumped on board considering the popularity and eco-friendliness of the bulb.

Properly Discard Fluorescent Lights

One thing to be aware of with these bulbs is that they do contain mercury, which is poisonous. Be very careful when discarding the bulbs. Don’t just discard them, do some research and see if there is a location nearby that will recycle the bulb for you. Hopefully now you have a better idea about environmentally friendly light bulbs. It’s an easy way to do your part to make a better environment. Thanks for watching. If you’d like to learn more please visit us on the web at About.com.