CFL Light Bulb

What is a CFL Light Bulb?

A CFL light bulb is essentially a miniature version of a full-size fluorescent bulb. CFL bulbs come in three different base types:

• Pin Based - Also referred to as plug-in based, pin-based CFLs have two to four pins that are mounted into the lighting fixture.
• Screw-in Based - This type of base mimics the standard base of an incandescent light bulb and comes in a variety of sizes.
• GU24 Based - Designed to meet the newest Energy Star recommendations, GU24 fixtures replace standard Edison-style sockets and avoid backward compatibility, resulting in higher energy efficiency.

CFL Light Bulb Facts

Although initially more expensive, CFL light bulbs are a wise investment since they last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs. Besides the obvious benefit of saving money on your power bill, there are several other perks to switching to CFL light bulbs, such as:

• Pollution Reduction - By replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs, you’re cutting down on CO2 emissions and pollution by reducing the amount of electricity needed to power lighting fixtures. While CFL light bulbs offer a reduction in pollution, keep in mind that they also contain mercury that could be very harmful to the environment. For that reason, you should properly recycle CFL light bulbs with an experienced company like Batteries Plus that understands how to prevent harmful chemicals from polluting the environment.
• High-Quality Light - CFL light bulbs are capable of a wide range of color temperatures that offer excellent warmth and color in any space. Color ranges vary from cooler whites that work well for office and task lighting to warmer whites suitable for living room and bedroom lighting.
• Versatility - Install CFL lights almost everywhere you use incandescent or halogen floodlights. Dimmable CFLs are also available for light fixtures that use a dimmer.

An incandescent bulb may last for up to 1,000 hours, but a CFL bulb might last for up to 8,000 hours. An LED bulb could last for up to 25,000 hours, making it the longest-lasting bulb on the market. An LED light bulb may use around half the watts of a CFL bulb, but might cost slightly more up front.