Earth Day CFL Questions

Michele - Consumer
Question:
Where else can [CFLs] be used in the house, or wherever?
Answer:
CFLs come in a variety of shapes and sizes suitable for all applications. The most common of which are the SpringLamps® which can be used in a wide range of applications, like table and floor lamps, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and even covered outdoor fixtures.

A-lamps are the most common shape for light bulbs in general. They have a round, elongated shape and are typically used in places where customers wouldn't want the look of a SpringLamp® like ceiling fans or fixtures where the bulb is exposed.

Reflectors are used indoors in recessed and track lighting fixtures and outdoors as flood lights.

Globe shaped CFL are perfect for vanities, or anywhere else customers may want a more decorative bulb.

A candelabra is a decorative lamp that has a more elliptical shape. It's often used in chandeliers as well as other decorative fixtures that help with mood lighting and is dimmable.

PAR lamps which have texture surfaces and aluminum sides are mainly for outdoor applications such as flood lights for security, or on patios or decks.

William - Consumer
Question:
Should there be warning labels on any type of light sources showing potential health hazards.
Answer:
Yes, there should be warning labels on any types of light sources. All CFLs should be marked with “Hg”, which is the universal symbol for Mercury, on both the packaging and ballast of the lamp.

Barb - Consumer
Question:
Should [CFLs] be turned on and off, or left on for at least an hour or more?
Answer:
It is always the best choice for the environment to turn off a light source while it is not in use. There is a brief surge in energy use when a CFL is turned on, with today's starting technology, that surge consumes about as much energy as five seconds of normal operation. So, even when turned on and off frequently, a CFL uses less energy than its incandescent equivalent.

However, turning a CFL on and off frequently can shorten its life. Therefore, we recommend consumers use CFLs in applications where they are on for at least fifteen minutes. To take full advantage of the energy savings and long life of CFLs, it is best to use them in light fixtures that are on for at least 15 minutes at a time.

Bill - Consumer
Question:
Does anyone make table lamp parts to accommodate 3 way CFLs? All the bulbs I've seen do not fit within the lamp harps. I need a harp that fits the extra width of the CFL ballast.
Answer:
In this situation a harp extender could be used which widen the bottom of the harp to allow the larger ballasts to fit.

Stephanie - Educator
Question:
What are ways people can save electricity?
Answer:
The best, easiest, and most effective way that people can save energy is to turn off the lights and other electrical consuming products and go outside! Enjoy the free natural light that the Earth provides. Solution number two is to switch to CFLs. According to the EPA If every American home replaced their five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR®, we would save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and together we would prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars. For additional ways to save energy, visit www.energystar.gov or www.ase.org.

Betty - Consumer
Question:
How do I dispose of CFL bulbs?
Answer:
It is best to recycle your CFL. Recycling programs exist for mercury in older non-digital thermostats and mercury thermometers, but residential CFL recycling programs are just now appearing. To find a residential recycling program in your area, visit earth911.org or lamprecycle.org. You can also call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.

If recycling is not an option in your area, place the CFL in a sealed plastic bag and dispose the same way you would batteries, oil-based paint and motor oil at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Site. If your local HHW Collection Site cannot accept CFLs, seal the CFL in a plastic bag and place with your regular trash.

Margarita - Consumer
Question:
Just how safe is CFL's for our homes?
Answer:
CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly.

Richard - Consumer
Question:
Are there dimmable versions of the CFL?
Answer:
There are dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs sold specifically for dimmable applications. The package should clearly state if the bulb is dimmable. Non-dimmable CFLs should not be used in dimmable applications because they tend to have a small amount of electricity running through them even though a lamp is shut off, therefore the lamp continually tries to turn itself on, which shortens the CFL life.

Susan - Utility Worker
Question:
Which applications are CFLs not intended to be the energy efficient replacement?
Answer:
Standard CFLs are not intended for use with dimmers, timers, or photocells. CFLs over 23 watts should not be used in fully enclosed fixtures. Non-covered CFLs should not be used in open exterior locations.

Mary - Consumer
Question:
Is there a local facility where [CFLs] can be recycled and just how safe are they?
Answer:
It is best to recycle your CFL. Recycling programs exist for mercury in older non-digital thermostats and mercury thermometers, but residential CFL recycling programs are just now appearing. To find a residential recycling program in your area, visit earth911.org or lamprecycle.org. You can also call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.

If recycling is not an option in your area, place the CFL in a sealed plastic bag and dispose the same way you would batteries, oil-based paint and motor oil at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Site.

If your local HHW Collection Site cannot accept CFLs, seal the CFL in a plastic bag and place with your regular trash.

To answer your second question, CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly.

Derek - Utility Worker
Question:
What is the equal in wattage from CFL to Incandescent?
Answer:
When buying a compact fluorescent light bulb, choose a wattage that's about one-fourth of what you usually buy. The table below shows some typical wattage conversions for SpringLamp® CFLs:

• 40 watt incandescent = 9 watt compact fluorescent
• 60 watt incandescent = 14 watt compact fluorescent
• 75 watt incandescent = 19 watt compact fluorescent
• 100 watt incandescent = 23 watt compact fluorescent

Matt - Rep
Question:
We offer recycling of CFL's at all of our locations. Recycling should be second nature for a CFL. How do we get there?
Answer:
Time, awareness, educations, and events like this. The more companies and municipalities partner with environmental companies, like Veolia for example, the easier safe recycling and disposal will be. Once these partnerships are in place, it’s back to time, awareness, and education.

Tony - Rep
Question:
Are there any environmental concerns if a CFL is broken?
Answer:
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. When a CFL breaks, care must be taken to clean it up and dispose of it properly. First carefully sweep up all the fragments, then wipe the area with a wet towel. Dispose of all the fragments including the used towel, in a sealed plastic bag. If possible, open windows to allow the room to ventilate. Do NOT use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow your local disposal instructions.

Don - Consumer
Question:
Please explain why some lights, such as the candelabra mini base (E12), cannot be used with dimmer switches. We have a chandelier with 18 lights in it and have desired to use the CFL lights. We have already replaced over 50 lights in our house with CFL's (everything from the yard light 65W to the much smaller 7W bulbs for the bathroom and ceiling fan lights). We still have several other lights to replace including outside security lights, recessed spot lights, and several others. Please advise.
Answer:
The size of the base does not matter, it is the electronic ballast that controls dimming ability of a CFL. There are dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs sold specifically for dimmable applications. The package should clearly state if the bulb is dimmable. Non-dimmable CFLs should not be used in dimmable applications because they tend to have a small amount of electricity running through them even though a lamp is shut off, therefore the lamp continually tries to turn itself on, which shortens the CFL life.

Shelley - Educator
Question:
Could I have more information and statistical data about your light bulb and the percentage of energy saved when using this bulb vs. a standard 75 Watt bulb?
Answer:
For both environmental and monetary savings of CFLs compared to incandescent please visit our savings calculator at http://www.springlightcfl.com/consumer/energy_savings_calculator.aspx.

June - Consumer
Question:
My husband has a great concern about what happens when a CFL is broken in the home by accident. What happens to the mercury? Is it released, and a danger? Or is it somehow contained, and safe?
If it falls on a carpeted surface, how do you clean it up safely?
Answer:
The mercury in TCP, Inc. manufactured bulbs is a solid state form of mercury called amalgam. By using the amalgam form on mercury much less is release in the event of a bulb breakage. However, there still is some released and proper disposal procedures should be followed. Proper disposal instructions can be found here - http://www.springlightcfl.com/consumer/faqs.aspx.

Dianne - Consumer
Question:
Although these new bulbs will help the environment, I am only getting about 1 year or less per bulb even though advertised to last 5 to 7 years.
Answer:
There is many reasons why a CFL may not last the fully intend life. Without knowing specific details of the CFLs usage here are some common causes that may lead to premature failure of a CFL. Standard CFLs are not intended for use with dimmers, timers, or photocells. CFLs over 23 watts should not be used in fully enclosed fixtures. Non-covered CFLs should not be used in open exterior locations. In addition to these there are many “off-brands” of CFLs are on the market that consumers should be wary of.

Karen - Consumer
Question:
We have CFLs throughout our home, why aren't they lasting as long as promised?
Answer:
There is many reasons why a CFL may not last the fully intend life. Without knowing specific details of the CFLs usage here are some common causes that may lead to premature failure of a CFL. Standard CFLs are not intended for use with dimmers, timers, or photocells. CFLs over 23 watts should not be used in fully enclosed fixtures. Non-covered CFLs should not be used in open exterior locations. In addition to these there are many “off-brands” of CFLs are on the market that consumers should be wary of.

Lorrain - Consumer
Questions:
Are there any dangers associated with these bulbs (handling, discarding etc)?
Answer:
CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. When a CFL breaks care must be taken to clean it up and dispose of it properly.
First carefully sweep up all the fragments. Then wipe the area with a wet towel. Dispose of all the fragments including the used towel, in a sealed plastic bag. If possible, open windows to allow the room to ventilate. Do NOT use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow your local disposal instructions.

Tony - Consumer
Question:
I have choke-powered long florescent lights. I need more lighting. Is it less economical to update ballasts and add more of the same or change to CFL bulbs and fixtures for desired light output?
Answer:
The best option is to change out the current fixates to use T8 electronic ballasts and T8 energy saving lamps.

Dan - Consumer
Question:
We have been unable to find a solar powered coach light or a motion sensor coach light for our home to place on the horizontal ledge adjacent to our garage. We have found all kinds of motion sensor lights to place on the wall on either side of our front door but not for a coach light. I would think that the design would be the same. And, for a coach light that received full sun during the day it would be a perfect place to place small solar panel inserts on top of the coach light so it could be completely off-grid. Will we see either of these products in the near future?
Answer:
Many low voltage 12-24 or 48 VDC are being developed to work with solar panel systems, keep your eye out for future developments.

Eric - Consumer
Question:
I know CFLs save energy and money and are good for the environment, but I live in a major metropolitan area and cannot find a place to recycle my CLF's within 30 minutes of where I live. If the major retail outlets do not get involved in the recollection of the bulbs (that they are marketing and selling), I do not see the use of CLFs as a very green solution. We will only be trading one evil for another as we discuss mercury contamination for the millions of bulbs that will be disposed of in landfills. Please help me find a responsible way to handle the disposal of the bulbs that won't require an hour of driving.
Answer:
One way to properly dispose of your CFLs that is to take advantage of the options that are available to individuals. For example, TCP has partnership with Veolia Environmental Services. Together they offer CFL recycling containers that get shipped to and picked up your resident. For additional information please visit the following link - http://www.tcpi.com/recycle.aspx.

Mike - Consumer
Question:
Do you have classes I can attend, to increase my limited knowledge of CFL's? I am excited about our involvement in going green!
Answer:
TCP offers tons of education information about CFLs on-line for you to view at your convenience. Check out our sites: www.tcpi.com, www.nvisioncfl.com, www.springlightcfl.com. In addition to this segments of this video will be available for you to view on-line.

George - Consumer
Question:
I am in the process of replacing all lights in my home with CFLs. Why are they so much more expensive then regular bulbs and floods? I think that we the consumer are paying early adopter prices. I figure my cost will be about $500+ dollars, which is shocking in a way.
Answer:
CFL prices range from $2 to $15 (for specialty bulbs), but save you about $30 or more per bulb in energy savings over their lifetime, more than offsetting their initial cost. We recommend replacing the light bulbs in the fixtures you use most with ENERGY STAR® qualified options, whether indoor or outdoor.

Mark - Rep
Question:
Do your CFLs feature the ENERGY STAR® logo on them? Are you an approved vendor?
Answer:
TCP has many ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs. To view all TCP’s ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs visit http://www.tcpi.com/corp/energy_star.aspx.

Jagat - Consumer
Question:
Can CFLs replace the LED lights if price is not a consideration? How much more power CFL will consume compared to LED lights?
Answer:
LEDs can be about three to five times more efficient than CFLs; however, the technology for LEDs is still being developed.