Lighting Frequently Asked Questions
ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED CFLs
Q: I want to switch my regular light bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. Should I throw away my incandescent bulbs now or wait until they burn out?
A: Replacing incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs right away is beneficial because you can begin to enjoy the energy savings immediately. You can save the incandescent bulbs for your fixtures where CFLs aren’t suitable, like in a closet where the light would only be on for a few minutes at a time or for a dimmable fixture if you don't have a dimmable CFL. CFLs provide the most savings in applications where the light is on for at least two hours a day.
Q: How much do ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs cost?
A: CFLs can be found as low as $1 and can save you about $70 or more per bulb in energy savings over their lifetime, more than offsetting their initial cost. Replace the light bulbs in the fixtures you use most with ENERGY STAR qualified options, whether indoor or outdoor. To determine the amount of money you can save by replacing CFLs in your home, download our CFL energy savings calculator.
Q: Will ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs fit into my existing fixtures?
A: ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs can replace regular, incandescent bulbs in almost any fixture. They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes including spiral, globe, tubed and candle. Some ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are specifically designed to provide dimming and three-way functionality too, so check the packaging to ensure compatibility with your fixtures.
Q: Can CFLs be used in recessed cans, outdoor lights, or track lighting?
A: Yes! A wide variety of ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are designed for use in most fixtures including recessed cans, outdoor lights and track lighting. Always read the packaging of the CFL to be sure of its proper application.
Q: I turn my CFLs on and off frequently?
A: I've been told I have to turn it on and leave it on all day. Turning a CFL on and off frequently can shorten its life. To take full advantage of the energy savings and long life of ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, it is best to use them in light fixtures you use the most and are on for at least 15 minutes at a time. Good locations include outdoor light fixtures, indoor fixtures in the living room, family room, kitchen, bedroom, recreation room, etc. This is not to say you should leave your lights on all day if you use ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. It is still a good habit to turn the lights off when you leave the room for an extended period of time.
ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures come with pin-based CFLs that are required to last at least 10,000 hours. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to last at least 6,000 hours. So, you should save some money on bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures. Replacement pin-based CFL bulbs can be found at most hardware or home improvement centers, at lighting showrooms and online retailers.
In addition, ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures are designed around the light source, including proper fit, color, wattage and durability. If special features like a dimmer are important, it would be safer to buy an ENERGY STAR qualified light fixture so you know it works with CFLs.
ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED CFLs AND MERCURY
Q: Is there a difference in mercury content between ENERGY STAR and non-ENERGY STAR CFLs?
A: All ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs have less than 5 milligrams of mercury. Avoid purchasing non-ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs, as they can have up to 15 milligrams of mercury in them – three times as much as the maximum amount allowed in an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL.
Q: can I tell how much mercury is in a CFL before I purchase one?
A: All ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to list their mercury content on the packaging. Avoid purchasing non-ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs because this information is not required on their packaging.
Q: Does mercury escape into the atmosphere when using a CFL?
A: No. Mercury is released when CFLs remain intact or while they are in use. The only time mercury from a CFL is emitted into the environment is when a CFL breaks.
Q: What do I do if a CFL breaks in my house?
A: A broken CFL containing a small amount of mercury is not likely to present any excess risk to you or your family. However, proper clean-up methods should be followed. These simple instructions will ensure safe removal of broken CFLs:
- Before cleaning up, ventilate the room. Make sure that people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area for 15 minutes. Be sure to open a window and shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
- On hard surfaces, use stiff paper or cardboard to carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag. Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag. DO NOT use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. This will flick the particles all over the room.
- Follow the instructions above. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum only the area where the bulb was broken. Remove the vacuum bag, or empty and wipe the canister, and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
- Immediately place all clean-up materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal day. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing the materials.
Q: Can I throw my burned out CFL in the garbage?
A: New York State households can currently dispose of CFLs as normal household waste. Businesses must follow a different set of regulations regarding the disposal of CFLs. However, NYSERDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are encouraging New Yorkers to use and recycle them safely. Careful recycling of CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up CFLs. NYSERDA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for CFLs, and is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options.
Q: Why should I recycle my old burned out or broken CFLs?
A: CFLs have a small amount of mercury in them and they need to be managed properly at the end of their useful lives. It is important to properly recycle CFLs today so there is not a problem in the future.
Q: How do I recycle my CFL?
A: There are several ways to recycle your CFL:
- Visit the resource map for a participating CFL Collection Center near you. The retail stores and civic organizations listed are trained to collect, store, and ship CFLs to professional recyclers who will manage them correctly.
- Take advantage of local recycling options through your municipal landfill or transfer station. Many towns or counties have household hazardous waste collection days where CFLs can be dropped off for recycling. Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation and www.earth911.org for more information.
- Look for organizations that are creating products to recycle CFLs. The U.S. Post Office, Waste Management, IKEA, and other organizations are exploring or implementing CFL recycling programs.
Q: Does a regular incandescent light bulb really create more mercury emissions than a CFL?
A: Yes, in fact, a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that more mercury emissions are emitted into the atmosphere when powering an incandescent bulb, because the bulb requires more electricity to operate. The highest source of mercury in our air comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, the most common fuel used in the U.S. to produce electricity. A CFL uses 75 percent less energy than an incandescent light bulb and lasts up to 10 times longer.
A power plant emits 10mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb and only emits 2.4mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time. When disposed of properly, CFLs present an opportunity to prevent mercury from entering our air, where it most affects our health.
ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED LEDs
Q: Is there ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting?
A: Yes. Currently there are ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures, screw-in replacement bulbs and decorative light strings that use LEDs.
Q: How much energy do ENERGY STAR qualified LED lights save?
A: ENERGY STAR qualified LED lights consume 75 less energy than conventional incandescent lights.
Q: Do LEDs create heat?
A: LEDs don't feel hot to the touch like other light sources. The light from LEDs does not create additional heat in a room. Nevertheless, LEDs do create some heat that can affect the light quantity and quality over time. To combat the negative effects of heat on LED performance, manufacturers incorporate heat sinks in their designs to transfer heat from the LED. Like a cold spoon that warms up in a hot cup of water, the heat leaves the LED through the heat sink, in a process called conduction, without emitting heat. The metallic fin-like features commonly found on LED bulbs and fixtures are heat sinks.
Q: Are LED lighting products dimmable?
A: Yes. LED bulbs and fixtures must be designed to dim and they are not compatible with all dimmer controls designed for incandescent lamps. It may be necessary to replace existing dimmer switches with ones that are compatible with the LED lighting product. Check the packaging or accompanying instructions to find out if the product is dimmable and which dimmer products are approved for use with the product.
Q: What color light does ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting come in?
A: ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting is available in a wide variety of shades of white light, "warm" light comparable to the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, "cool white" light or bluer "daylight" light. Light color is measured on a temperature scale referred to as Kelvin (K). Lower Kelvin numbers mean the light appears yellow; higher Kelvin numbers mean the light is whiter or bluer. Color for ENERGY STAR qualified LED lighting for indoor residential use is restricted to 3500K or less to provide only warm white light, with the exception of portable desk lamps that can be as high as 5000K where the light just starts to appear more blue.
- To match the color of incandescent bulbs look for 2700-3000K
- For a whiter light, look for 3500-4100K
- For bluer white light, look for 5000-6500K
ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED FIXTURES
Q: What’s the difference between an ENERGY STAR qualified fixture and a standard fixture (same style/size) using ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs? Is the savings the same if I purchase regular fixtures and use all CFLs?
A: The energy savings would be the same if you used either an ENERGY STAR qualified light fixture or a standard light fixture with ENERGY STAR qualified “screw-in” CFLs. However, ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures come with pin-based CFLs that are required to last at least 10,000 hours. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to last at least 6,000 hours. So, you should save some money on bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures. Replacement pin-based CFL bulbs can be found at most hardware or home improvement centers, at lighting showrooms and online retailers.
In addition, ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures are designed around the light source, including proper fit, color, wattage and durability. If special features like a dimmer are important, it would be safer to buy an ENERGY STAR qualified light fixture so you know it works with CFLs.
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