Seeing the Light

If you aren’t already using the new compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) why not? Well this great way to reduce energy and carbon emissions has a few setbacks which dissuades the average Joe from making the commitment. But it seems, in the long run the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

I wasn’t much of a believer. The husband started buying these uber expensive light bulbs where bargain shopper me wanted to buy the six for a dollar box at the local made anywhere but here super store. It was easier. It was cheaper. And it didn’t cost a fortune and bring potential hazards into the home.

But like the TV show says, sometimes “it's not easy being green.”

But the husband was insistent. Not because he wanted to reduce his carbon footprint or help the planet but because he said it was cheaper because they would last longer. So they were cheaper.

Huh?

I’ve never been one for math, even simple math. But it turns out each CFL bulb saves $30 in energy use during its lifetime and compared to bargain bulbs that blow when you sneeze too hard and need replaced almost weekly, the CFL bulb lasts well…a long time. We still have some we bought in 2007. Some claim eight years, thousands of hours or ten times the old school type bulb but it seems to vary. Overall, they just last and so save money.

But what about when they blow?

A friend of mine said no way on the CFL bulbs “because they don’t tell you about the mercury.” Huh? What? Mercury? In my house? It can’t be. Green is better, more natural. Right?

Well, it’s like this: the CFL bulb works differently from the more traditional incandescent bulb. Instead of heating a filament like in the incandescent bulb till it glows making light, the CFL bulb emits light because electricity goes through a mixture of argon and mercury. Each bulb contains about 1 milligram of mercury. It’s not that much, really. I mean breaking a bulb could release a tiny amount into the house for a short time (open a window) but how often do you smash a bulb really? Is that enough of a reason to waste all that energy?

Each CFL bulb uses 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. 75 percent less of a drain on the overloaded power grid. Less energy, less carbon. Each bulb saves about 150 pounds of carbon. Count the light sockets in your house and think how much carbon you could save.

Offsetting carbon starts with realizing that all the small things add up. Carbon credits and tree planting are bright ideas.

But I'm starting to see the light when it comes to CFL bulbs.