What Are Spiral Light Bulbs All About?

Did you know that only 10% of the energy used by a conventional (incandescent) light bulb generates light? The rest of the energy used by the light bulb is lost, but you pay for it nonetheless! Electric lighting burns roughly 25% of the average home’s energy budget. The price of the electricity used over an incandescent bulb’s lifetime is 5-10 times greater than the purchase price of the bulb itself!

Fortunately there is an effective alternative to money-wasting conventional light bulbs. If you want to save yourself time, money, and resources, as well as light your home or business efficiently and effectively, consider switching to compact fluorescent lights. Compared to standard incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights [CFLs] reduce lighting costs by about 70%, operate at a much cooler temperature, are 4 times more efficient and last 10 times longer.

CFLs price tag runs a bit higher than conventional light bulbs, but they’re worth it because the overall operating cost is much less plus you change them less frequently thanks to their energy-saving features. CFLs [or spiral light bulbs] are really miniature fluorescent lights, like those found in offices and schools. The difference is that CFLs give off a softer, natural, light that is similar to the hue of conventional bulbs. Because they are electronically ballasted, new CFLs don’t flicker or ‘hum.’ You get the economy of a standard fluorescent light with the quality glow of a conventional bulb.

In addition to producing the same light quality, a single 18 watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 570 kWh over its lifetime. At 8 cents per kWh, that equates to a $45 savings. That is just one bulb!

One CFL can save a half-ton of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. If more homes and business used energy-efficient lighting, we could close nearly 100 average-size power plants! The electricity being saved reduces harmful CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide, and high-level nuclear waste. CFLs are an environmentally friendly choice.

CFLs can be used wherever conventional bulbs are currently used. They can be used indoors or out and can be wired to dimmer switches as well. 3-way CFLs are available for more flexible lighting.

CFLs are especially useful for ceiling fixtures that are a pain to access or in common hallways where lights are left on for long periods of time. CFLs provide longer periods of light without having to change the bulb.

When you truly want to have an energy-efficient, money and time saving bulb, without sacrificing light quality, compact fluorescent lighting is the logical choice.