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Find
out how to get your FREE Energy Star CFL from Taraluna
at the end of this article!
Information
from Energy
Star
If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with an
ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), it
would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars
from the road. CFLs provide high-quality light, smart technology,
and design, requiring less energy while lasting longer than typical
incandescent bulbs.
Earning the ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use 66% less energy than a standard
incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing
a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt CFL can save you at least
$30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.- ENERGY
STAR qualified CFL's operate at less than 100F, they are also
safer than typical halogen bulbs, which are frequently used
in floor lamps or torchieres and burn at 1,000F. Due to their
high heat output, halogens can cause burns and fires. CFL's
are cool to the touch.
Environmental
Concerns and Safe Disposal of CFL Bulbs
Compact
fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury and some environmentally
conscious people fear that the bulbs will do more damage to the
environment than incandescent bulbs but according to answers.com:
Coal
power plants are the single largest source of mercury emissions
into the environment. According to the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), (when coal power is used) the mercury released
from powering an incandescent bulb for five years exceeds the
sum of the mercury released by powering a comparably luminous
CFL for the same period and the mercury contained in the lamp.
However,
with proper disposal there is no threat and we actually
see a savings in mercury output. Please note that mercury poses
no threat while in the bulb, but if the bulb breaks take the following
precautions: Take care not to inhale the fumes from the mercury,
open windows if indoors. Use a wet rag or disposable cloth to
wipe up all mercury and glass taking care not to get it on your
skin. Place all waste into a plastic bag and contact your local
recycling center.
Proper
disposal of CFL's is key, if CFL's go to the landfill, mercury
can seep into soil and pose a hazard to ground water. If CFL's
are incinerated mercury will be dispersed into the atmosphere.
Proper disposal is as simple as bringing unbroken bulbs to your
local hazardous waste recycling center. Because CFL's last up
to ten years, there should be no hardship involved in the extra
effort to properly dispose of these energy saving bulbs.
For
more information please read:
Earth
911
Energy Star Mercury Facts
Change
a light facts & assumptions
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