With growing concerns for the conservation of energy as reflected in financial terms in our day to day living the need for a cost-effective lighting is always necessary. The much more heat energy inefficient incandescent light bulb will be replaced in time by the fluorescent lamp, which has a better luminous efficacy. Because they maximize low power input into better lighting than an incandescent bulb with similar power input, these fluorescent lamps are labeled as energy saving light bulbs.
Energy saving light bulbs are more commonly known as compact fluorescent lamps or CFL. They are compact fluorescent tubes with a metal vapor inside usually mercury. Compared to the incandescent lamp which gives off heat in the heating of its filaments, the energy flows in fluorescent lamps are regulated by their ballasts that reduce the heat given off during the lighting process.
In terms of average lifespan, energy saving light bulbs are more cost effective because they could provide lighting from six thousand to fifteen thousand hours as opposed to the 750-1000 hours of lighting that an incandescent bulb produces.
CFLs come in different sizes and their shapes are designed to replace bulbs in any of your existing fixtures. The twin tube lamps are fit for lamps, ceiling and wall light, and task lights. The Quad tube lamps are shorter than the twin tube lamps but provide the same light output in equivalent wattage. They are better suited for smaller lamps. The Triple Biax lamps provide more light output in a short bulb. They are fit for table lamps as they take up a much smaller space. Spiral lamps, F-lamps and circular lamps are also available in different sizes.
Care and proper handling of CFLs include the timing of its switch on and off mechanism. CFLs heat longer and require more time to reach its optimum light. Switching them on and off in less than five minutes within the given cycle may reduce its life by about 85%. Place your CFLs in indoor fixtures that could allow ventilation because these lamps are very sensitive to high temperatures. If they are used in enclosed fixtures, they can reduce their lifespan by the hot environment that they have created.
Since all fluorescent lights have a small amount of mercury, burned out or broken bulbs must be disposed properly. There are existing recycling centers for light bulbs which could take care of the disposal and recycling of the contents of your old light bulbs. You may just have to find one nearest to you.
Most importantly, in choosing your compact fluorescent light bulb, look out for the Energy Star label, this is the official license of government-backed programs for energy efficiency.