The Benefits of Using Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs offer a practical alternative to using standard light bulbs in the lighting fixtures in your home. Many of the bulbs now available produce a warm sort of light similar to the standard bulbs. The compact bulbs, called CFL's, are larger bulbs, but recent innovations have developed smaller size compact bulbs that will fit in ordinary light fixtures. The newer bulbs contain electronic circuits so that they are not as heavy and are more compact, plus they do not have the usual hum that is often present with regular fluorescent lights.

There are many benefits for both your home and the environment from using compact fluorescent bulbs. Even though, the compact bulbs cost more money to purchase, they will save you money over the long term, because you will not have to buy very many replacement bulbs. Other benefits of fluorescent bulbs include:

• Using less electricity
• Lasting ten times longer than standard size bulbs
• Lowering carbon dioxide emissions into the environment

Compact bulbs can also be used in different kinds of light fixtures, such as:

• Table Lamps
• Ceiling Lighting
• Spot Lights
• Outdoor Lighting
• Floor Lamps

How long will they last?

One compact bulb will last 10,000 hours or between six and seven years before you have to buy a replacement for it. Compared to the 750 hours that a standard size bulb lasts and the many replacements you will have to make over the same period of time, the compact bulbs are certainly worth the extra cost.

You can also purchase compact fluorescent lamps:

These lamps consist of two parts - a gas filled tube and a magnetic ballast. When electricity flows through the ballast, the gas glows with an ultraviolet light, lighting a white coating on the tube. This is what provides you with the lamplight to add a soft light to any room. These lamps are available in all shapes and sizes and with varying numbers of gas tubes. You can change the tubes without changing the ballasts. A typical tube for a compact lamp will last about 10,000 hours while the ballast lasts much longer, as much as 50,000 hours.