Eskom has fitted over 43-million CFLs (compact fluorescent lighting) in homes across the country. This has resulted in a saving of 1800MW of electricity – the equivalent to half a power station! More importantly, these lamps have lowered Eskom customers’ electricity bills. The CFL’s have replaced the incandescent light bulb because CFLs give off the same amount of light, but use just 20% of the amount of electricity. That means you can light up your home using one fifth of the electricity consumed by incandescent bulbs.
CFL technology is transitional and provides the user with a cheaper option of energy saving lighting when compared to LED lighting. Like Incandescent Technology, Compact Flourescent technology will become obsolete.
It is advisable to use high voltage CFL only in high use areas of your home i.e. kitchen and bathrooms and low voltage bulbs in other areas to further reduceelectricity consumption.
What you need to know:
- Lighting consumes about 11% of the energy used in most homes depending on building size, shape and function
- CFL’S Offer up to 80% saving on your energy use for lighting
- CFL’s cost more than incandescent light bulbs but last up to 10 timeslonger depending on quality
- CFL’s will fit your existing lighting sockets
- CFL’s are replaced less often than incandescent bulbs
- Installing down lighting and dimmers further reduces electricity consumption
- Payback period of between 8 and 12 months
- Contain tiny amount (less than 5mg) of mercury vapour, this amount is 100 times less than the amount of mercury in a watch battery. CFL’s pose no health risk if fitted and used properly and disposed of properly