for Consumers

Energy Efficient

Light Bulbs: Light Bulbs: Light Bulbs:

A

Bright

Idea

FTC FACTS

PRODUCTS

1-877-FTC-HELP

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER

www.ftc.gov

op quiz: Why use energy-efficient light bulbs?

(A) They use less energy than standard bulbs.

(B) They can save you money on your electric bill.

(C) They produce just as much light as standard bulbs.

(D) They last longer and donít have to be replaced as often as

standard bulbs.

(E) All of the above.

Answer: (E) All of the above.
Facts for Consumers

Shedding Light on Your Bulb

Choices

Picking a light bulb isnít exactly rocket science.

You want it to provide the amount of light you

need, to last a long time ó particularly if itís for a

hard-to-reach place ó and not to ìbreak the

bank.î You want it to be energy efficient as well.

The fact is, new energy-efficient light bulbs can

save money on your electric bill, while saving

energy, too.

Whatís the catch? Highly efficient compact

fluorescent bulbs cost more than regular incandescent bulbs. However, their efficient use of

electricity and long operating life can offset the

initial pinch of the purchase price.

Among your options are:

ï Regular incandescent bulbs. These bulbs,

which provide most home lighting, are used

in products from nightlights to floodlights.

The most common incandescent is a pearshaped bulb with a medium-sized screw-type

base. Incandescent bulbs use electricity to

heat a filament until it glows white hot,

producing light. About 90 percent of the

electricity used by incandescent bulbs is lost

as heat. These bulbs typically burn for 750 to

1,000 hours ó or about three hours a day for

a year.

ï Incandescent spotlights and floodlights.

The reflective coating on these bulbs helps

direct and focus the light. Commonly known

as spotlights or floodlights, these bulbs often

are used in recessed ceiling fixtures or outdoors. They burn for about 2,000 hours.

ï Halogen bulbs. Sometimes referred to as

ìtungsten-halogen filament incandescent

bulbs,î these bulbs contain a small capsule

filled with halogen gas, which emits a bright

white light. Halogen bulbs produce more

light, use less energy and last longer than

standard incandescent bulbs of the same

wattage, but they cost more. They last from

2,000 to 3,000 hours ó about two to three

years.

ï General service fluorescent bulbs. These

bulbs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs because they donít produce heat.

Theyíre the thin, long tubes often used in

kitchens for under-cabinet lighting, and in

garages, workshops and basements. The

tubes can last from 10,000 to 20,000 hours ó

10 to 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

ï Compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs

provide as much light as regular incandescent

bulbs while using just one-fourth the energy.

For example, a 15-watt compact fluorescent

bulb yields the same amount of light as a 60-

watt incandescent bulb. Compact flourescent

bulbs last about 10,000 hours ó 10 times

longer than incandescent bulbs.

Watts to Know

The Federal Trade Commissionís (FTCís) Appliance Labeling Rule requires light bulb manufacturers to provide information on packages to help

consumers choose the most energy-efficient bulbs

for their needs. The Rule applies to all household

light bulbs except small, screw-base bulbs like

night lights and chandelier bulbs.

The packages for standard bulbs ó including

halogen, reflector bulbs and compact fluorescent

bulbs ó must give information about:

light output ó how much light the bulb produces, measured in lumens. A 60-watt regular

incandescent bulb yields about 855 lumens. A

15-watt compact fluorescent bulb yields about

900 lumens.

energy usage ó the total electrical power a bulb

uses, measured in watts.
Facts for Consumers

design voltage ó if the bulb is not 120 volts.

Most bulbs run on 120 volts. Light output and

efficiency decrease when you use a bulb with a

125 or 130 design voltage in a region that

provides electrical service at 120 volts.

average life in hours ó how long you can

expect the bulb to last.

number ó number of light bulbs in the package.

Replacement Value

Energy-efficient bulbs may cost you more initially,

but they can save you money in the long run in

out-of-pocket expenses. Hereís an example:

Suppose your living room table lamp is turned

on for 1,000 hours a year, and your local

electric utility charges eight cents per kilowatt

hour. A 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb

may cost you $20, considerably more than the

dollar or so that youíd spend for a standard

60-watt bulb that provides the same amount

of light. But the compact fluorescent bulb

should last for 10 years, while the standard

bulb likely will be replaced every year. The

compact fluorescent bulb costs about $1.20 a

year to operate; the standard bulb costs $4.80.

For a one-time initial extra payment of

$19.00, you can receive $4.60 in savings each

year ($3.60 electricity cost and $1.00 bulb

cost) for 10 years.

The benefits of compact fluorescent bulbs are

clear: lower operating costs, longer operating

life and more efficient use of energy.

For More Information

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent

fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.

To file a complaint or to get free information on

consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call tollfree, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The

FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft

and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer

Sentinel, a secure, online database available to

hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement

agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

The Department of Energyís Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy Network offers a clearinghouse of energy-efficiency information at

www.eren.doe.gov. This information also is

available by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-

DOE-EREC (363-3732) (TDD: 1-800-273-2957)

or by writing: U.S. Department of Energy ñ

EREC, PO Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116.

Your state and local energy offices and local

utility company also may be valuable sources of

information.
Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

Produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy

June 2000

F C EDERAL RADE OMMISSION T FTC OR HE ONSUMER

1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov

Facts for Consumers