Are you looking for ways to lower your utility bills? Replacing a traditional light bulb with compact fluorescent bulbs is one of the easiest things you can do to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yes you will not only reduce the consumption of energy but also protect the environment.

The traditional bulb converts just 5% of the energy it receives into light and gives out thousands of tons of carbon dioxide within the atmosphere. The CFL bulb last longer and have a life span of 10,000 hour. The CFL bulb consumes only 180 kWh of power during their entire lifespan while a traditional bulb consumes 750 kWh over that same 10,000 hour time frame.

The use of CFL bulbs will greatly minimize the energy drain throughout the year and especially during summers when air conditioner runs almost throughout the day in some parts of the country. Although CFL bulbs cost a little extra but enable you to save almost $55 per bulb every year. Suppose you have 10 bulbs in your home then you can save nearly $ 550 per year along with enough electricity to enlighten the homes of millions of other people. CFL also prevent greenhouse gases and reduce emissions from power plants.

However the major disadvantage associated with CFL bulb is that they require mercury to produce light. Being poisonous substance mercury can pose health hazards as when the glass breaks in landfills the mercury escapes and with the passage of time leaches into topsoil and groundwater. Therefore search for the nearest recycling center online and make sure to send the used CFL’s by mail. However a CFL is much more environmental friendly than traditional bulbs because they emit more mercury during coal burning almost over 150% in comparison to a compact fluorescent bulb.