Energy Saving Light Bulbs - Lamps and Tubes — Osram - Sylvania - Philips

CF bulbs use about one-quarter of the energy an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light. To replace a traditional 60-watt bulb, look for a CF bulb in the 15-watt range.
The start-up time of a CF bulb can be slower than an incandescent bulb, even though the color and brightness are similar.
CF bulbs produce light that's more diffuse than incandescent bulbs, so they are very good for area lighting.
To maximize the lifetime of a CF bulb, install it where it will stay on for at least 3 hours at a time. The more a CF bulb is turned on and off, the quicker it burns out.
Only use CF bulbs in timers or photocells that are specifically designed to be used in these devices (check the label).
If your CF bulbs cause interference with devices such as radios and computers, move the lamp or the electronic devices away from each other.
If your CF bulb is too blue or "cold," try a different color temperature. Look for bulbs labeled "warm white," with a color temperature between 2700 and 3000 degrees Kelvin.
CF bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury, so when they burn out, dispose of them properly. Only use three-way CF bulbs in three-way lamps.

In a dimmer, only use dimmable CF bulbs. The bulb's package will tell you if it is dimmable.
For best dimming results, turn the light all the way on and then dim back to the desired level.
CF bulbs do not have the same dimming precision of incandescent bulbs, which can move smoothly between zero and 100 percent of full brightness. The dimming range of CF bulbs is usually between 20 percent and 80 percent.
Dimmable cold cathode bulbs have very long lifetimes because their solid-state circuitry can stand more wear and tear.
Lower light means more savings. So have a romantic dinner tonight and turn the lights down low!

Spiral bulbs generally fit in regular lamps, but check the dimensions of your lamp to make sure.
Jumbo spiral bulbs give strong light but can be quite large. If the bulb you want isn't a "mini spiral," check its length to make sure it will fit in your lamp.
If your lamp has a clamp shade (which attaches to the bulb rather than the lamp), using a spiral bulb might be more difficult. Be sure to check the spiral's size, or try an A-shaped bulb.

Make sure the light will fit in your fixture.
Check what size base your fixture requires. The standard bulb base is an E27 or Edison screw base. Some decorative bulbs have a smaller base, E14 (ses) and other have smaller still, "candelabra base" (E12). The references E27, E14 and E12 refer to the diameter of the screw thread: E27 (27mm), E14 (14mm) and E12 (12mm).

For a reading lamp, try a higher colour temperature (4000 degrees Kelvin), as the white will be whiter and brighter, more like daylight.
If the light from your CF bulb is not bright enough for your table lamp, try the bulb in a different fixture. Some CF bulbs lose 20 percent of their brightness when placed base-down.

Be sure to check the length of the CF bulb so it doesn't protrude out below the edge of the recessed fixture.
If your fixtures have covers that enclose the bulb, be sure that your CF bulb is "enclosed-rated."

Only CF bulbs designed for the outdoors should be used in outdoor fixtures. Check the label to check whether the light bulbs are rated for an enclosed or uncovered fixture.

All compact fluorescents contain trace amounts of mercury but don't worry!
First, CF bulbs contain far less mercury than in other items in the house: CF bulbs (4 mg), thermometers (500 mg), older thermostats (3,000 mg). Plus, using CF bulbs actually prevents more mercury from being released into the air by power plants. A power plant emits about 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity needed to run an incandescent bulb, compared to only 2.4 mg of mercury to run a CF bulb for the same amount of time.
Should a bulb break, take these simple precautions. First, open nearby windows to disperse any vapor that may escape. Sweep up the fragments (do not use your hands) and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel to pick up all glass fragments. Do not use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow the disposal instructions below.

Recycling burned-out CFs is the best option.
Contact your local government agency in charge of household hazardous waste to see if recycling is an option in your area.

TIPS FOR BUYING AND USING ENERGY-EFFICIENT BULBS