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What is a CFL?
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are energy-efficient alternatives to standard incandescent light bulbs. CFLs use 66 to 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 8 times longer.
- CFLs use different technology which generates 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and may reduce energy for home cooling.
- CFLs save $50 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime.
- CFLs are available in different sizes and shapes to fit almost any indoor or outdoor fixture.
Why Are CFLs Important?
 By reducing daily energy consumption, CFLs offer multiple benefits. An immediate benefit is reduced energy bills. Over 60% of the electricity in Montgomery County comes from coal and fossil fuel-fired power plants. Reducing the amount of electricity we use reduces greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. This also helps to improve our air quality and is a benefit to our public health.
If every household in Montgomery County replaced one frequently used incandescent light bulb with a CFL, they would collectively save over 2 million dollars a year and reduce as much carbon dioxide as removing 1,800 cars from our roads. A small action can begin to make a world of difference.
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 Buying CFLs
CFLs cost more than standard light bulbs, but they last longer and will save you money over their lifetime, between 3 to 6 years with average home use. It is therefore, a smart investment to purchase CFLs for use in homes, businesses, apartment buildings, congregations, or anywhere else!
Although many grocery, drug, and home improvement stores carry a growing selection of CFLs, we recommend checking online for unique sizes or special-use bulbs for dimmable or 3-way lights. A good place to start is the ENERGY STAR Qualified CFLs: Advanced Search page. This online tool allows you to search for CFLs based on light fixture, wattage, and other features.
Having trouble finding the right CFL? Check these on-line retailers for a larger selection:
Discounts on CFLs
To help you save even more, local electric utilities are offering their customers discounts on CFL purchases.
Pepco and BG&E Customers can visit a participating retailer and save $1.50 per light bulb or $3 on a multi-pack. Discounts are included in the price at the store. Click on your utility for more information:
Allegheny Power is mailing two CFLs to every Maryland Customer. Contact Allegheny Power directly for more information.
In addition to incentives offered by utilities, retailers often provide special incentives for energy-efficient products. To find rebates from retailers in your area on CFLs and other ENERGY STAR qualified products use ENERGY STAR’s Rebate Finder Tool.
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Performance: How do CFLs Compare with Regular Lighting?
To make sure you get the best value and performance out of your CFL, review the following CFL guidance:
Labeling
Most people choose light bulbs based on wattage (e.g., 60W, 75W, 100W). In contrast CFLs are labeled by lumens, or the amount of light emitted, not watts. However, most CFL packages also list their light output in incandescent wattage equivalencies. For example, if you are replacing a standard 60W light bulb, you would look for the label 'Replaces a 60W'. Other examples of terms used may be: 'Soft White 60' or '60 Watt Replacement'.
The Best CFL for Your Application
 Just like the typical incandescent light bulb, CFLs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes for a variety of fixtures. The federal government’s ENERGY STAR Web site has a comprehensive guidance on how to find the best CFL for your application.
The shortcuts below will help you navigate ENERGY STAR’s Web site:
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Mercury in CFLs: Safe Handling
All fluorescent lights, including CFLs, contain a very small amount of mercury. The amount of mercury in fluorescent lighting is significantly lower than many other consumer products such as watch batteries and switches in TVs, computers and other electronics. If the glass tube of a CFL is broken take extra care to clean it up. Read a fact sheet on tips for clean-up. ( PDF, 71KB)
Safe Disposal of CFLs
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and should be disposed of properly, ideally recycled. More information regarding mercury in CFLs, including proper disposal options, can be found in this federal government ENERGY STAR fact sheet. ( PDF, 71KB)
 Montgomery County Recycling
Drop off CFLs for recycling at one of Montgomery County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sites.
- Chevy Chase and Rockville
Residents of Chevy Chase and Rockville can take advantage of curbside pickup by scheduling an appointment. To schedule an appointment Chevy Chase residents may call: (301) 654-7300 and Rockville residents may call: (240) 314-8568.
- Retail Shops
Some retailers offer CFL collection and recycling. Ask if they provide this service when you make your purchase.
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Unique Circumstances: Questions and Answers
Do you have concerns about installing CFLs in a special application? Have you had a CFL fail in the past? Some lighting situations require special bulbs or considerations in order to get the best performance. We recommend searching through ENERGY STAR’s comprehensive list of special CFL circumstances, questions and answers such as: 'My CFL burned out early…', 'Can CFLs be used with dimmer switches?', 'Can CFLs be used in a 3-way light bulb?', or 'Does extreme cold or humidity affect CFLs?'
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Do you still have a question or a comment about CFLs? Send us an email. | 
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