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Lighting accounts for a significant amount of the electricity used in the average PGE home.
If all PGE residential customers replaced just two 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), that could save 83 million kilowatt hours a year — enough to power the city of Salem for more than three weeks.
Savings from CFLs add up over the years
CFLs are much more energy efficient than conventional light bulbs, using only about one quarter
of the electricity and lasting up to 10 times as long according to manufacturers’ estimates.*
While typically more expensive than incandescent bulbs, the higher investment can pay off many
times over through reduced electricity bills and fewer replacement bulbs.
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Cumulative Savings by CFL* |
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Savings after the
lights are on for: |
1 yr |
2 yrs |
3 yrs |
5 yrs |
10 yrs |
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2 hrs per day |
$3.47 |
$6.94 |
$10.40 |
$17.34 |
$34.68 |
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4 hrs per day |
$6.94 |
$13.87 |
$20.81 |
$34.68 |
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8 hrs per day |
$13.87 |
$27.73 |
$41.62 |
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12 hrs per day |
$20.81 |
$41.62 |
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*Replacing one 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 15-watt CFL bulb.
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Cumulative Savings by CFL** |
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Savings after the
lights are on for: |
1 yr |
2 yrs |
3 yrs |
5 yrs |
10 yrs |
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2 hrs per day |
$4.24 |
$8.23 |
$12.72 |
$21.19 |
$42.38 |
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4 hrs per day |
$8.47 |
$16.95 |
$25.43 |
$42.38 |
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8 hrs per day |
$16.95 |
$33.91 |
$50.73 |
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12 hrs per day |
$25.43 |
$50.85 |
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**Replacing one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 20-watt CFL bulb.
How to choose the right CFL
CFLs save you lots of electricity and lots of money — but you have to know how to pick the one that’s right for you.
Light output: Look for the lumens
You want to look for a bulb that puts out about the same light as the one you’re replacing (see chart). Light output is measured in “lumens.” For example, if the label on your conventional 60-watt bulb says it produces 890 lumens, you should look on the CFL label for a number that’s close.
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When replacing an incandescent light bulb, select a CFL with at least the same lumens. |
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Incandescent Bulb Wattage |
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Amount of Light/Lumens |
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60 |
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890 |
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75 |
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1220 |
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100 |
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1650 |
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150 |
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2850 |
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When purchasing CFLs, review the installation information. Some CFLs do not work with dimmer switches, electronic timers or photocell devices. |
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Because for decades incandescent bulbs have been our only choice, we’re accustomed
to buying bulbs based on “wattage,” which is actually a measure of power, not light.
An easy formula to keep in mind is to remember two words: Watt four?
If you have a 60-watt incandescent bulb (with a brightness of 890 lumens), divide 60 by 4. The result will be about what you need. In this example, you would select a 15-watt compact
fluorescent bulb (60 ÷ 4 = 15). But remember, lumens are your best guide.
Right size
Fortunately, the vast majority of compact fluorescent bulbs will fit an existing fixture. Screw one in, and forget it for about seven years! But because many CFLs have a broader base than
conventional bulbs, you’ll want to make sure the ones you select fit your fixtures.
When in doubt, take a sample home and make sure it fits (and that you like its shape and color). Then you’ll be ready to buy more.
Right shape
You may have noticed that a CFL, at its heart, is a small fluorescent tube, the junior partner of the overhead fluorescent tubes at your workplace. Some CFL tubes arch, others twist. That’s not an issue under a lampshade or non-clear glass, but if the bulb is exposed, you many want to pick one that has a rounded shape.
Right color
Do you want a golden-hued light, a bright sunlight look or a cool blue? If most of the color comes from your lampshade, any CFL can fit the bill. If not, CFLs now come in a variety of subtle
shades of light. Check out a lighted CFL display at a retail store for comparison and, as mentioned earlier, take a sample home to make sure you have the right colored light for the environment.
Note: Outdoor CFLs can be found in “bug-repellant yellow” color.
Indoor or outdoor, and other special uses
There are only a few situations where use of a compact fluorescent isn’t a good idea. For example, if you’re running an arc welder in your garage that causes power surges in your home, that can be hard on CFLs. Consult an expert at your local lighting dealer if you have any unusual electric
power situations at your home.
- If the bulb will be used in an enclosed or recessed fixture, it should be labeled for that purpose, due to the heat buildup inside the fixture.
- If you use a dimmer or photocell (light-activated) switch, the bulb should be labeled for that purpose.
- Make sure that CFLs purchased for outside lighting are clearly labeled “outdoor use.” Those bulbs are designed for extremes of temperatures from summer through winter.
- If the bulb will be directly exposed to moisture make sure it is “Wet Location” listed.
Buy the certified bulb
Check for the Energy Star label, your assurance of energy efficiency. And remember to make sure
you’re buying a compact fluorescent — not all light bulbs labeled “energy efficient” are CFLs.
Disposing of CFLs
All fluorescent lights contain a small quantity of mercury, and therefore should be disposed of properly. (For perspective, CFLs average about five milligrams of mercury in each bulb — mostly as mercury vapor — compared to 500 milligrams found in a mercury thermometer.)
For more information and disposal sites, see How to Dispose of CFLs.
*Check manufacturer specifications for detailed performance information.
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