Energy Saving Tips: Save Money by Using Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Did you know that it's cheaper to use compact fluorescent light bulbs than regular incandescent light bulbs? It's true. Despite a higher initial cost, compact fluorescent light bulbs use less electricity and last longer. You'll save money over the long run if you can make the switch.

It Worked For Us

My husband and I have been slowly replacing all of standard light bulbs in our home with fluorescent bulbs. I can attest to the fact that the porch light, which was the first light bulb we replaced, has not been changed in over four years and is still going strong. Before we switched to fluorescent, we used to change that bulb every six to eight months.

Why it Works

It works like this. A compact fluorescent light bulb uses ¼ the energy of a conventional light bulb to put out the same amount of light. This means that to product 100 watts of light a fluorescent bulb only draws 25 watts of power. Since you are charged for electricity by the kilowatt, that extra 75 watts you didn't use saves you in electricity costs!

Not only do fluorescent light bulbs draw less power, they also last a lot longer than incandescent bulbs. According to the packaging of the bulbs we purchased at Home Depot , the fluorescent bulbs have an estimated life in hours of 10,000 hours - almost ten times as long as incandescent bulbs. They also have a seven-year guarantee.

Cost Considerations

Cost wise, fluorescent bulbs are more expensive. At Walgreens I can buy a package of four 100 watt GE Extra soft white bulbs (incandescent bulbs) for $2.99, or about seventy-five cents a bulb. The expected life of the incandescent bulb is 750 hours. In contrast, I can purchase a TCP 27 watt Compact Fluorescent Bulb from Home Depot for $7.99. The expected life of the fluorescent bulb is 10,000 hours.

Although the fluorescent light bulb may seem more expensive, consider this: you would have to purchase over 13 of the short-lived bulbs to equal the 10,000 hour life expectancy of the fluorescent bulb. At seventy-five cents a bulb, 13 bulbs would cost a whopping $9.75!! The compact fluorescent bulb (priced $7.99) is actually cheaper, and this is even before you count the savings impact on your electric bill of using only 1/4 of the power that you would have used had you not switched to fluorescent bulbs.

Conclusion

The switch to fluorescent bulbs is worth marking. Despite the higher initial cost per bulb, you will ultimately save money. An added bonus is that you will not have to change bulbs as frequently.