Why Choose ENERGY STAR?

Lighting represents about 20 percent of your home’s electricity bill. Switching from incandescent bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs is the easiest step you can take to save on your energy bill and help the environment.

CFLs have come a long way in the last 20 years. Today’s ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use advanced technology; are small; quick to light up; efficient; produce better light; and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some even work on dimmers or three-way switches.

What’s the Difference?
Type of Bulb	Incandescent	Fluorescent
Power Used (Watts)	60	13
Light Output (Lumens)	800	800
Lifetime (Hours)	750-1,000	6,000-15,000
Lifecycle Cost*	$40	$10

* Based on a 6,000-hour CFL, a 1,000-hour incandescent, use of 3 hrs/day, 11.09 cents/kWh electric rate, $3.00 CFL, and $0.50 incandescent.

Compared to incandescent light bulbs, ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs:

• Use about one-quarter of the energy to produce the same amount of light,
• Last about 10 times longer,
• Produce about 75 percent less heat, which reduces cooling costs,
• Save about $30 or more in electricity costs over the lifetime of the bulb,
• Have manufacturer-backed warranties, and
• Meet strict energy efficiency and performance requirements.

In 2007, Americans saved $1.5 billion by switching to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. The energy saved could light all the households in a city the size of Washington, DC for over 30 years. Put another way, changing these bulbs removes as much greenhouse gas pollution as planting 2.85 million acres of trees or taking 2 million cars off the road each year.

Find out how much you can save.

Find out how to choose CFLs and where to use them.