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Do your part to save energy and money at home. CFLs are all the range right now. In fact, one out of every four bulbs sold is one of these strangely shaped bulbs. But it is important to know the good and the bad when in comes to compact florescent lighting.
The good, these bulbs use about 75% less energy than normal light bulbs. They can also last ten times longer. Those two things combined mean big savings, roughly $30.00 over the life of each CFL white bulb. But you will not see those savings unless you use the bulbs properly.
CFLs should only be used in fixtures that are on for long periods of time, preferably more than 15 minutes and you will need a specially designed CFL if you want to use the bulbs with a dimmer. If CFLs are not used correctly, you will significantly diminish the life of the bulb and your savings.
Now here is the bad. These bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and this means they are considered hazardous household waste. Look for bulbs that contain the lowest amount of mercury and good guide is 2.7 milligrams or less. Even a small amount of mercury can be dangerous if it leaks into the environment or worst yet your home. Be sure you dispose all the bulbs properly. They cannot be thrown in the trash and most curbside recycling programs will not accept CFLs. Stores like Home Depot, Ikea and most Ace hardware stores will recycle the bulbs or you can take the bulbs to a full service recycling center Use our earth911 link on the homepage to find a recycler of CFLs near you. If a CFL breaks in your home, there are step by step guidelines for cleaning up the mercury on the environmental protection agencies website. You will find it at EPA.GOV.
The bottom line, you can do your part by installing CFL light bulbs that use less energy, but you will not see the energy savings unless you use the bulbs properly. And remember that they are considered hazardous household waste and should always be disposed off properly.
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