Saving Energy with CFLs
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, which make them an economical and environmentally friendly choice.
There are a few things to remember about them:
- As they contain a small amount of mercury, be careful to dispose of them properly in special recycling centers.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs are intended to be left on for at least 15 minutes each time. Turning them on and off frequently reduces bulb life.
- If you want to use CFLs with a dimmer switch, buy only those made specifically for this use. Substituting regular CFLs will shorten bulb life and possibly damage the switch itself.
For more information, read General Electric’s FAQ and BC Hydro’s “Replace Incandescents with CFLs.”