subject: Electrician Dover: Electrical Safety Tips [print this page] Reasons to Talk to Your Electrician in Dover about CFL Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are quickly becoming a thing of the past. CFL bulbs (aka compact fluorescent bulbs) offer users a wide variety of benefits. The next time you have problems with your incandescent bulbs you should consider talking to your electrician in Dover about the benefits of switching to CFL. Here are some reasons why.
Environmental Impact & Efficiency
Incandescent light bulbs have been proven to have a harmful effect on the environment. There are several reasons environmental groups have labeled this type of bulb as harmful. They use more electricity than is necessary and they have the potential to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Because incandescent bulbs produce extra heat, other appliances and systems (like your air conditioner) have to work harder in order to work properly. CFL bulbs are environmentally friendly, producing very little heat and reducing the amount of green house gas emitted into the atmosphere.
Not only are they better for the environment, but CFL light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs have the capacity to work for anywhere from 750 to 1,000 hours. Compact fluorescent light bulbs have the capacity to last for up to 20,000 hours. A light that is used for 8 hours per day may last anywhere from 6-7 years, while an incandescent may only last a few months. You can also use a lower wattage CFL bulb than you would an incandescent, getting the same amount of light while utilizing less energy.
Adaptability
Ask any electrician in Dover to tell you about the original CFL bulb and he'll tell you how boring they were when they were first introduced. There was only one style (the twist bulb) and these did not always work well with traditional household lamps and appliances. Now there are quite a few different styles to choose from, some mimicking the shape and design of the traditional bulb. There are now globe style and 3-way CFL bulbs to choose from as well. They may look the same, but CFL bulbs are certainly more effective.
Money Saving Benefits
The truth is that incandescent light bulbs are far cheaper to purchase in a store than compact fluorescent bulbs. The problem is that they also cost a lot more to operate. Spending a little bit more money upfront to purchase a CFL bulb will actually save you money in the long run. You can purchase a lower watt bulb (a 75 Watt incandescent can be replaced with a 20 watt CFL) and save money on your utility bill at the same time. A single bulb change can save you anywhere from $30 to $60 per light bulb (around $5 to $10 per year if the bulb lasts 6 years). Consider the number of light bulbs you have in your home and the savings will really add up.
Additional CFL Considerations
While switching to CFL bulbs is ultimately the most effective choice in terms of both finances and the environment, there are a few things to consider before you make the change. First, it is important to note that CFL light bulbs are so effective because they contain trace amounts of mercury. This means you may have to take your burnt out bulbs to a special collection center in order to dispose of them.
Another disadvantage is that the bulb takes longer to turn on and come to full light capacity. For this reason, you'll only gain a significant financial benefit if you plan to leave your lights on for more than 15 minutes at a time. Constantly turning your lights off and on will cause them to wear out faster.
CFL bulbs are certainly worth the investment, even if you only switch one light at a time as your old bulbs burn out. Talk to your electrician in Delaware about whether or not your appliances and lights are compatible and, if so, start making the switch. You'll eventually notice a huge difference in your energy consumption and you'll be proud of your decreased impact on the environment.
