The average Saskatchewan home has about 40 light bulbs, which account for about 21 per cent of household electricity use every month.
Switch to Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) and save!
Switching to energy-efficient CFLs is one of the brightest investments you can make.
CFLs use up to 75 per cent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Each CFL saves about $40 over its lifetime. If you replaced 40 bulbs in your house, you would save about $1600!
One bulb does make a difference
If every household in our province replaced just one standard 60-watt incandescent bulb with the equivalent 13-watt CFL, we'd save enough electricity to power over 5,000 homes for an entire year. This would cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 30,000 tonnes in one year alone!
Install your CFL properly
To prevent the bulb from breaking, always screw it in by its base rather than the glass.
How to make the switch and start saving money
Maximize Your Savings
To start, use CFLs in the areas where lights are left on for long durations of time. Begin by purchasing one CFL to check for preferred light output and colour.
Select your preferred colour
CFLs are available in a range of colour hues. Soft white or warm light have a yellowish hue and are best for indoor lighting in low lighting situations. They will enhance your home's warm colours (red, orange, yellow). Cool light have a whitish hue and are best for reading and other task lighting. Daylight-style CFLs have a bluish hue and are best in bright lighting situations.
Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol
This is your assurance that the bulb meets quality standards—including long life, brightness and electricity savings—and carries a minimum warranty of two years against all defects. If the bulb fails within the warranty period, return it to our retailer or bulb manufacturer.
Selecting the right shape and size
Different fixtures require different types of bulbs. Use the following chart to find your fixture and determine which CFL will work best.
| Table / Floor Lamps | Pendant Fixtures | Ceiling Fixtures | Ceiling Fans | Wall Sconces | Recessed Cans | Track Lighting | Outdoor Covered | Outdoor Flood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Spiral |  |
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| Covered A-shape |  |
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| Globe |  |
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| Tube |  |
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| Candle |  |
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| Indoor Reflector |  |
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| Outdoor Reflector |  |
CFLs are now available for almost all types of fixtures: enclosed, dimmable and tri-light. Always check the package to make sure you choose the right bulb. The life of a CFL can be drastically reduced if the bulb is not meant for the selected fixture.
Check the package for wattage and lumens to make sure your CFLs will be bright enough. Remember: the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
| Standard incandescent bulb (watts) | ENERGY STAR qualified CFL (approximate equivalent watts) | Minimum light output (lumens) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 9-13 | 450 |
| 60 | 13-15 | 800 |
| 75 | 18-25 | 1100 |
| 100 | 23-30 | 1600 |
| 150 | 30-52 | 2600 |
| This table is provided as a guide only. Check the product packaging to determine the equivalent wattage. | ||
Using CFLs in your house
- Start small—Purchase one bulb to check desired light output and colour
- When shopping for CFLs, remember that specialty bulbs are required for dimmer switches, tri-lights, motion sensors, photocells, torchiere floor lamps and enclosed fixtures
- There are specialty outdoor CFLs that are guaranteed until about -20 degrees. These bulbs will often work in much colder temperatures, but may take a while to turn on. To keep your CFLs working during our Saskatchewan winters, use them in enclosed fixtures to protect them from the cold
- Check the packaging to make sure the bulb is designed for your fixture. The lifetime of a CFL can be reduced drastically if the bulb is not intended for the selected application
- There are CFLs available that look like standard bulbs. These CFLs are manufactured the same way as twisty CFLs, but they have a plastic covering that hides the spiral design
- Using CFLs improperly can make the bulbs too hot, causing the bulbs to burn out early. CFLs are not a fire hazard. In the worst-case scenario, CFLs used improperly may smoke, change colours and char around the base. Check the packaging to make sure your CFLs are appropriate for your fixtures
- During installation, always screw the bulb by its base rather than the glass to prevent unnecessary breakage
