Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
Government support to encourage CFL uptake in homes
The Electricity Commission has agreed to support the installation of up to three million energy-saving bulbs in New Zealand homes by end of June 2007.
This equates to replacing around five standard bulbs with five energy-saving bulbs in every second home. If this target is reached, it will:
- save enough electricity to power up to 24,000 homes a year
- cut New Zealand’s annual residential power bills by about $40 million
- substantially reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that result from the use of electricity. Installing three million energy-saving bulbs would save enough electricity to prevent emissions of 125,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, equivalent to taking 25,000 vehicles per year off the road.
- as energy-saving bulbs last considerably longer than standard bulbs, it will also reduce landfill.
>> Upcoming plans for lighting
About Compact Fluorescent Lamps - Q&A’s:
Q: How much do they cost to buy?
A: A good quality CFL costs on average $6 at normal retail price and lasts 8-10 times as long as an ordinary bulb. Cheaper poorer quality bulbs are available for about $2 but have a shorter lifetime.
Q: How long do CFLs last?
A: A good quality CFL lasting from 6000 to 15,000 hours. We recommend you choose a bulb that lasts over 8000 hours (approximately 8 years). Check the box to find out the lifetime of the bulb.
Q: How much do they cost to run?
A: CFLs typically use a 5th of the energy of an ordinary lightbulb (this is based on replacing a 100 Watt incandescent bulb with a 20 Watt CFL). Used 3 hours a day throughout the year will cost $4.40 compared with $21.90 for a standard bulb, saving you $17.50 per year per bulb.
Note: this is based on an electricity cost of $0.20/kWh
Q: Can I only buy the spiral CFL bulbs?
A: No. There is a range of styles and types. For example there are candle bulbs, fancy round, reflector lamps, spherical and even replacements for halogen lamps. However, check with your lighting specialist as not all CFLs provide the same light output as the standard bulb they are replacing.
Q: Where can they be used?
A: They can be used in place of incandescent bulbs. Spiral and straight CFLs with a screw or bayonet fitting can replace standard incandescent bulbs.
Q: Does it require a special fitting?
A: CFLs come in screw and standard bayonet type so can be fitted in place of standard incandescent bulbs.
Q: Is the light quality the same as standard bulbs?
A: CFLs come in a range of light outputs – warm white to cool white. Warm white is closer to the colour from a standard incandescent bulb, whereas cool white has a sharper light effect. Some people prefer cool white lights for bathrooms. Check the packaging of the bulb before you buy to ensure you choose the desired light output.
Q: Can they be used with dimmer switches?
A: Most CFLs will not dim when used with dimmer light switches. However, some CFLs do, though they are not widely available. Check with a lighting specialist to find out which bulbs can be dimmed.
Q: I hear CFLs contain mercury. How do we dispose of them correctly?
A: MfE have developed guidelines for safe disposal of CFLs.
>> Visit the Ministry for the Environment website for more information on the disposal of CFLs.
