Compact Fluorescent Lamps
ENMAX Home Page
Enmax Corp Enmax Power Enmax Energy Enmax Envision
Click to Decrease the font sizeClick to Increase the font size
Conservation

Compact Fluorescent Lamps

By using CFLs you can reduce the amount of energy you use. CFLs have been shown to use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions about CFLs

There's a lot of information out there about compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and while much of it is helpful, there's some misinformation. So before making a decision about if and how to use CFLs, please take a few minutes to read the following information.

What is a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)?

A compact fluorescent light is a type of fluorescent light that uses less energy than traditional incandescent lamp.  Many CFLs are designed to replace an incandescent light and can fit into existing light fixtures.

Why is it suggested to switch to CFLs from incandescent bulbs?*

CFLs have been shown to use up to 75% percent less energy than traditional bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.

Is there mercury in CFLs?*

Yes, however, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury.  No mercury is released into your home during normal use.  The average mercury content in a CFL is about 3 milligrams.  By comparison, a common wristwatch battery contains five times more mercury than a CFL.

How should I dispose of a CFL?*

Just like paint, batteries, thermostats and household chemicals, it is important to dispose of CFLs properly.  We suggest taking advantage of local disposal programs if they are available in your area or checking with your local Do-It-Yourself store to find out where you may be able to drop them off.

What should I do if I break a CFL?*

If you break a CFL on a hard surface, it is recommended that you open a window if possible and wearing rubber gloves lift up the fragments with stiff paper or cardboard, instead of vacuuming.  Then, wipe the area with a damp paper towel and put everything in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of it.

If the bulb breaks on a soft surface, it is recommended that you open a window if possible and wearing rubber gloves remove as many fragments as possible with a stiff paper or cardboard. Then, using sticky tape try to pick up any remaining small pieces of glass or fine particles, and then if necessary, vacuum the area.  After vacuuming, put the vacuum bag along with the debris collects in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of it. 

I’ve heard that CFLs emit UV?

Yes, CFLs do emit ultra-violet (UV) as do all other electronic devices (e.g. television, hairdryer, cell phone, microwave etc).

Does the UV from CFLs cause skin cancer or skin rashes?

At this time, the Government of Canada has not announced that there are health concerns related to CFLs.   We continue to monitor updates released by Health Canada.

Looking for more information?

Additional information on CFLs is available at NRCan.

*Source: NRCan (www.oee.nrcan/gc.ca)
NOTE: The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made, in affiliation with or with the endorsement of Natural Resources Canada.

 

Making the Switch

Making the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs is easy. Here's a few things that you should take into consideration.

  1. Color: if you like a bluish cast to your lighting fixtures, choose a “cool white” bulb. If you are used to regular incandescent light, choose a “warm white” bulb. This should be indicated on the package.

  2. Size: We’ve been used to choosing bulbs based on how much power they consume instead of how much light they give off—but a 15-watt CFL gives off approximately the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

  3. Look: CFLs come in all shapes and sizes from spotlights to vanity globe-style bulbs to the generic ice-cream twist shape.

  4. Quality: The lifespan of a CFL will be displayed on the package and typically varies between 6,000 and 10,000 hours.

  5. Fixture Rating: When a fixture says “60 watts only”, this refers to the maximum power consumption that the fixture is designed for—not the minimum. Remember that a 15-watt CFL produces as much light as a 60-watt incandescent. The opportunity here is that you can replace a regular bulb with a much brighter CFL and still be well below the power rating for the fixture.

Click here to see how much money you could save by switching your incandescent bulbs to CFLs.