Change a Light, Change the World
By Michelle Steinback
The simplest thing everyone can do to make a difference in global warming is to replace incandescent lightbulbs with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs. These lightbulbs produce more light than heat with the electricity they use. As a result, they can provide the same amount of light as standard incandescent lightbulbs but use only one-quarter to one-third as much energy, and they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs have come a long way since they were first introduced in the 1980s. Today’s top-quality compact fluorescent lightbulbs offer beautiful, warm light without buzzing or flickering. Although they are more expensive than regular incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lightbulbs save money in the long run by reducing energy use and bulb replacement costs.
While using a screw-in compact fluorescent lightbulb in your existing light fixture makes it energy efficient for the time being, it does not prevent the next user from going back to an energy-wasting incandescent lightbulb. If you are serious about making a permanent switch to energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs and/or need to satisfy energy-efficient lighting codes or tax incentive requirements, consider ordering your new light fixtures with a hardwired compact fluorescent socket. Hardwired compact fluorescent light fixtures have specially designed sockets that only work with compact fluorescent lightbulbs, preventing future users from switching back to incandescent lightbulbs. The popular new GU24 base features a simple twist-lock design that easily allows users to quickly insert or remove GU24 compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Schoolhouse offers the majority of their fixture line with the GU24 option, as does Rejuvenation.
 Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Dos and Don’ts
• 2700 K = Warm Light. To match the warm, amber light color of incandescent lightbulbs, purchase 2700 K compact fluorescent bulbs. A larger kelvin number such as 5000 K will produce a cool, white light with a blue-green tinge, which is not typically considered appealing for residential use.
• Convert High-Use Areas First. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs take a few minutes to warm up before they achieve their full lumen (light) output. To maximize your return on investment, use compact fluorescent bulbs in areas where lights are left on for long periods of time, such as your kitchen, office, front porch, or living room. Change the bulbs in closets and low-use areas after you have converted your high-use areas.
• Excessive Heat. Both screw-in and GU24 compact fluorescent lightbulbs have electronic ballasts that are sensitive to excessive heat. Be sure not to exceed the wattage replacement recommendation for your light fixture. (For instance, if your light fixture is rated for 60 watts, avoid using a 25-watt, “100-watt replacement” compact fluorescent lightbulb; instead, use a 15-watt, “60-watt replacement” compact fluorescent bulb.)
• Dimmers. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs do not work with dimmers. Some newer compact fluorescent products on the market claim to work with dimmers, but their performance may be unreliable.
• Power Surges. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are sensitive to power surges. A powerful storm that causes numerous power outages will occasionally prematurely wear out the ballasts contained within the lightbulb if the bulb is left on during the power interruption(s).
• Disposal. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs will last for years, but when they finally do wear out, do not throw them away with your regular garbage because they contain small amounts of mercury. If you accidentally break a fluorescent bulb, use a wet rag to collect the broken pieces, and then place everything in a sealed container for disposal. Avoid inhaling the mercury during the cleanup process. Metro recycling centers accept spent compact fluorescent lightbulbs (but not at the curb).
Michelle Steinback is General Manager of Schoolhouse Electric Co., located at 330 SE MLK Jr. Blvd in Portland 503-230-7113.
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