Energy Efficient CFL's

Posted on Sat May 10 2008

By: Praveen Sequeira in Environment

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CFL'S or compact fluorescent light bulbs are light bulbs that everyone is using nowadays. True, they cost a lot more, but they do also last for a much longer time. You don't have to worry about these bulbs running out by the end of the month. They last for a good deal of time. These light bulbs, often spiral in shape, use less energy and so it makes sense that most people go for it.

Some people find that the initial cost for these CFL's are way too expensive. That's true, they can be high, however you can start off by using these bulbs for the places that need lighting the most. The bathroom, kitchen, porch light are some of the places where you could install these light bulbs.

In the long run, CFL's prove to be much more cost effective. If you buy these in large quantities, you may be able to find better rates. These CFL's last almost ten times longer than the incandescents, and use a fraction of the energy. They don't generate too much of heat, thus making these bulbs a safer option. And they work both, indoors as well as outdoors.

So, what can you do with these bulbs once they are out. Dispose them in the waste? Well, there are small quantities of mercury that are found in these bulbs, so its advisable not to just dispose them in the garbage, and this will prevent the contents from seeping out into the environment.

A good option to consider these days, is to recycle these lamps. Various stores such as Ikea, and a few other hardware stores offers free recycling for CFL's in-store. Not all the locations may have these recycle options, so you may want to check before going to any of the stores.

If you search online, the Internet also provides a number of resources of organizations and companies that undertake recycling of these bulbs.

You can also keep a look out for recycling initiatives in your local area, as there are many local organizations that provide recycling opportunities for CFL, on regular basis or sometimes for specific occasions.