Which Bulb To Choose?

2010 Family and Community EducationMartha Keel, Ph.D.

Confused?

WattThe amount of electricity a light

bulb uses to produce light

=

It’s not an indication of brightness!

Lighting Terms

11watt

s

40watt

s

LumensThe amount of light given off(sometimes labeled light output)

Lighting Terms

Incandescent

(Watts)

Minimum Light Output

(Lumens)

Compact Fluorescent

(Watts)

*Energy Star

40 450 9 to 13

60 800 13 to 15

75 1,100 18 to 25

100 1,600 23 to 30

150 2,600 30 to 52

How Much Light Do I Need?

ColorMeasured on a

TemperatureScale called Kelvin (K)

Lighting Terms

LifeThe expected life span of a burning bulb given in hours

8000 2000hours hours

Lighting Terms

Shape

A-shape Spiral Globe Tubed

Candle Indoor Reflector Outdoor Reflector

Lighting Terms

Bases◦Most common:Medium & Candelabra

Lighting Terms

Incandescent◦ Inexpensive◦Good color◦Work well with

devices◦Produce heat◦Short life

Light Bulb Types

Halogen◦Last longer◦Don’t dim with age◦Produce extreme heat

Light Bulb Types

Fluorescent◦Efficient◦Long life◦Many colors, types and sizes◦Quiet electronic ballasts◦Contain mercury

Light Bulb Types

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)◦Standard bases◦Efficient◦Long life◦Quick start time◦Color◦Brightness

Light Bulb Types

Solid State – LED◦Most efficient◦Very long life◦Colored light ◦Expensive◦Not readily available for residential use

Light Bulb Types

13-Watt Spiral CFL

60-Watt Incandescent

Initial Purchase $3.77 $0.27

Replacement Costs(estimated 7 bulbs)

$0.00 $1.89

Energy Costs (based on $0.10/kWh, 8,000-hour bulb)

$12.00 $48.00

Total Cost $15.77 $50.16

Estimated Savings $34.39

Using a GE Energy Smart® bulb vs. standard incandescent bulbhttp://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/products/energy_smart.htm

How Much Can I Save?

Starting time◦ Quick turn on time◦ “instant on”

Color◦ Wide variety

Bulb position Outdoor use

There are large differences in light, cost and turn-on time among different manufacturers.

CFL Issues

Flicker

Health effects◦ Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

Mercury◦ Disposal

http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling

◦ Broken bulbs

CFL Issues

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm

Type of Bulb Incandescent Fluorescent(CFL)

Power Used (watts) 60 13

Light Output (lumens)

800 800

Lifetime (hours) 750 – 1,000 6,000 – 15,000

Lifecycle Cost* $40 $10

What’s the Difference?

*Based on a 6,000-hour CFL, a 1,000-hour incandescent, use of 3 hrs/day, 11.09¢/kWh electric rate, $3.00 CFL and $0.50 Incandescent.

A single 20-watt CFL used in place of a 75-watt incandescent will save about 550 kilowatt-hours over its lifetime.

That savings represents nearly 500 pounds of coal not burned, which means1,300 lbs. of carbon dioxide &20 lbs. of sulfur dioxide are not released

Environmental Impact

Voluntary Action◦ Public education on CFLs

Incentives◦ Subsidies and/or give-aways

Legislation◦ Some counties have banned incandescents◦ U.S., Australia and Canada set efficiency

standards◦ The Energy Independence and Security Act of

2007 (“The Energy Bill”)

Light Bulbs and the Law

All bulbs must use 30% less energy than today’s incandescent bulbs by 2012-2014◦ 2012 Phase out 100W bulbs ◦ 2014 End with 40W bulbs ◦ 2020 All must be 70% more efficient

(= to today’s CFLs) Lighting ~ 20% average household’s energy

bill This bill could cut nation’s electric bill by

more than $10 billion a year Many types of incandescent bulbs are

exempt

The Energy Bill

Determine where and use Shape Size Base Color Lumens Watts Type Label – Energy Star

How To Choose?

Energy Star Web Guidehttp://www.drmediaserver.com/CFLGuide/index.html

Read the Package Hold the base, not the glass to screw in

the bulb Use CFLs in places where you will have

the light on for at least 15 minutes at a time

Most photocells and timers do not work with CFLs

Recycle CFLs Follow guide-lines to clean up a broken

CFL

Tips for How to Choose