Have you ever got confused when buying the fluorescent light bulbs?
Environment-friendliness and economy are the two main arguments in favor of fluorescent light bulbs as opposed to the traditional bulbs. The environmental bulbs don’t have to be changed as often as the traditional ones, because they last up to ten times longer than the traditional bulbs. They also produce less warmth, which means you can save even more money on air conditioning (valid mostly for bigger office spaces). Furthermore, the fluorescent bulbs need three times less energy than the “old” ones, which helps to save both the environment and your budget.
Except for running a Toronto lisitngs agency, I’m always looking for quick and easy tips to make my lifestyle a bit more greener. Most customers are not experts and may feel that the selection of fluorescent light bulbs is very wide, making it very difficult to pick the right one. In order to help you decide while shopping for light bulbs, we have summed up some easy tips for you.
Mr. Bulb Right
If you are not sure about the right type of bulb you need, the best idea would be to bring your old light bulb with you so that you can make sure the shape and size matches. Be careful about the wattage - when replacing a traditional light bulb with the environmental one, you have to divide the wattage by four. So instead of a 60 watt traditional bulb, one 15 watt fluorescent bulb is enough. It is important to read the label carefully, especially if you want to put your new bulb in a dimmer light - not all kinds of light bulbs are suitable for dimmers.
Where to use fluorescent bulbs
Think about the place where you are going to use the new bulb - if it is too hot with no or little air circulation, the fluorescent bulb won’t be a good choice here (for example in recessed ceiling fixtures). The environmental bulb is not lit up instantly as the traditional one. It usually takes something between one and three minutes for it to give proper light, so it may be damaged if it is lit up and then switched off again in a short time. Therefore use in rooms where the bulb can stay on for at least 15 minutes at a time to prevent early damage.
When you no longer need the bulb
Environmental light bulbs should be recycled at all times. Among other materials, environmental bulbs are made of mercury, which is a dangerous heavy-metal. If you smash a light bulb in your home, the mercury cannot be vacuumed. You also shouldn’t touch it with bare hands. Instead, try to sweep the mercury bits with a piece of cardboard. Then use some sticky tape to remove the remaining tiny bits and wipe the area with a wet cloth. It is also a good idea to open the window in the room for at least 15 minutes so that you prevent mercury exposure.
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