Energy-efficient lighting

Energy-efficient lighting will help you save on your power bill and help our environment. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes are the most energy- and cost-effective lighting alternative for your home. CFLs use only 20 per cent of the electricity to produce the same amount of light and are an easy, cleaner alternative to the traditional incandescent globe.

Incandescent light globe phase out

On 20 February 2007, the Australian Government announced its intention to phase out inefficient incandescent light globes. The phase-out will mean that from the end of 2009, you will be unable to buy new incandescent bulbs to replace your old ones. Change the Globe website has more information about the phase out.

What are CFLs?

CFLs are fluorescent tubes shaped to fit an ordinary light fitting. They save energy by reducing the wattage needed in a light fitting while producing the same amount of light.

CFLs last from 6000 to 15 000 hours, 6 to 15 times longer than incandescent light bulbs and use about one fifth of the energy.

Selecting the right CFLs for your home

Like common incandescent light bulbs, CFLs are available in a screw or bayonet fitting and you fit a CFL in exactly the same way that you fit a common incandescent light bulb.

You can choose either 10-watt or 15-watt compact fluorescent light globes (CFLs) or a combination of these in 'warm white' for your home. A 10-watt CFL is equivalent to a 40-watt incandescent light globe and a 15-watt CFL is equivalent to a 75-watt incandescent light globe.

CFLs come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and wattages and can be used in downlights, spotlights, exterior lights and lamps. You can choose the level of brightness suitable for your rooms and light fittings.

Specialised CFLs are becoming available for dimmers. Ask your specialist lighting retailer about dimmable CFLs.

Did you know that the ClimateSmart Home Service can provide you with and install up to 15 free CFLs as part of the $50 service? See ClimateSmart Home Service for more information.

Do CFLs contain mercury?

CFLs do contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing—5 mg on average (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen).

A new Australian standard will be introduced soon, regulating that CFLs will be required to contain less than 5 mg of mercury. By comparison, mercury thermometers contain 300 to 500 mg of mercury.

When the bulbs are in use, no mercury is released and they are safe to use in the home.

What do I do if a CFL breaks?

If a CFL breaks, research indicates that, with appropriate handling, there is no health risk to you or your family, but careful handling and disposal is recommended.

You can minimise any risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:

  • Open nearby windows and doors to ventilate the room and leave area for 15 minutes before retuning to cleanup.
  • Sweep up—don't vacuum—the glass fragments and fine particles. If any gets into carpeted areas, use a damp cloth or sticky tape, to pick up fine particles and fragments.
  • Place all of the pieces of the light bulb and clean-up materials into a container or sealed plastic bag, for disposal in accordance with the advice of your local waste disposal authority.
  • Continue ventilating the room.
  • Wash your hands and face.

Disposal of CFLs

Information about the safe disposal of CFLs is available at the Australian Government Climate Change website.