| A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), more commonly | | | | hugely significant. |
| referred to as an energy saving light bulb is a type of | | | | Energy saving bulbs are produced for both alternating |
| fluorescent lamp. The energy saving light bulb has | | | | current (AC) and direct current (DC) input. DC low |
| been designed to replace the standard incandescent | | | | energy bulbs are popular for use in recreational |
| lamp that most people still use. They fit into the | | | | vehicles as well as for domestic use. They can also |
| same standard light fixtures as incandescent bulbs so | | | | be operated with solar powered street lights, using |
| new fittings are not required after purchase. | | | | solar panels located on the top or sides of a pole and |
| Low energy bulb's give off the same amount of | | | | luminaries that are specially wired to use the lamps |
| visible light but use less power and has a longer rated | | | | thus becoming even more eco-friendly. Incandescent |
| life. While the purchase price of an integrated energy | | | | bulbs reach full brightness a fraction of a second |
| saving bulb is typically 3 to 10 times greater than that | | | | after being switched on. As of 2009 [update], energy |
| of an equivalent incandescent lamp, the extended | | | | saving bulbs also turn on within a second, but may still |
| lifetime and lower energy use will more than | | | | take time to warm up to full brightness. Some |
| compensate for the higher initial cost. Energy saving | | | | energy saving light bulb's are marketed as "instant |
| light bulb's can save approximately twenty pounds in | | | | on" and have no noticeable warm-up time scale, but |
| electricity costs over the course of a year. | | | | others can take up to sixty seconds to reach full |
| The average rated life of a these bulbs is between 8 | | | | brightness or longer in very cold temperatures. |
| and 15 times that of an incandescent bulb and | | | | Almost a quarter of the UK's carbon dioxide |
| typically have a rated lifespan of between 6,000 and | | | | emissions come from energy used every day in our |
| 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually | | | | homes. By saving energy we can all help prevent |
| manufactured to have a lifespan of 750 hours or | | | | climate change. The environment is now everyone's |
| 1,000 hours. For a given light output, eco friendly light | | | | concern and we all have a responsibility to reduce |
| bulb's use 20 to 33 percent of the power of | | | | emissions, waste and our energy consumption and |
| equivalent incandescent lamps. Around ten percent of | | | | what simpler way to do your bit than changing the |
| UK household carbon emissions come from light bulbs | | | | light bulbs throughout your home. |
| so the environmental benefit of these bulbs could be | | | | |