Giveaway part of multi-million dollar statewide initiative

The CFL bulb giveaway is the product of more than a year of study. Electric cooperatives in South Carolina last fall announced the giveaway as part of plans to invest up to $10 million per year towards renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. 

The plans include measures designed to protect the environment and save energy, such as:

• Encouraging homegrown renewable energy. Electric cooperatives can opt to offer a pilot program designed to reward members who wish to generate their own renewable energy, such as solar power. Implementation of the program, called net metering, is planned as part of a long-term statewide initiative to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Read this magazine for future details on net metering.
  
  
• Encouraging wise energy use. Cooperatives have set a goal to develop a program to place energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in the home of every cooperative member in the state, approximately seven million bulbs, within 10 years. Savings would equal the energy used by 35,000 homes.
  
  
• Investing resources in clean energy research. Cooperatives have invested $2.5 million into a research partnership with the University of South Carolina to reduce emissions from coal plants. Coal is the cheapest and most plentiful fuel for producing electricity, but environmental concerns are substantial.

The initiatives follow two major studies commissioned by electric cooperatives. The investment represents up to 1.1 percent of budgeted gross revenue for Central Electric Power Cooperative, which supplies and transmits power to South Carolina's electric cooperatives. For information, access www.ecsc.org.

CFLs should be recycled though a household waste collection program. To find the nearest CFL recycling location, you can call the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control at 1-800-768-7348.

The facts about Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs)

Why should people use CFLs?
Switching from traditional light bulbs to CFLs is an effective, accessible change every South Carolinian can make right now to reduce use at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.  Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill.  Changing to CFLs costs little upfront and provides a quick return on investment.

Do CFLs contain mercury?
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing—an average of 5 milligrams, which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen.  No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use.  By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury.  It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount.  Mercury currently is an essential component of CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source.  Many manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products. 

Ironically, CFLs present an opportunity to prevent mercury from entering our air, where it most affects our health. The highest source of mercury in our air comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, the most common fuel used in the U.S. to produce electricity. A CFL uses 75% less energy than an incandescent light bulb and lasts at least 6 times longer. A power plant will emit 10mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time.  “The EPA has estimated that the mercury in a CFL added to the mercury emitted from the electricity used to power it is still less than the mercury emitted from powering an incandescent bulb,” said Joe Bergstein of the EPA’s New York Regional Office.

What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?
EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs.  Barnwell County, Charleston County, Greenville County, Horry County, York County and the City of Columbia currently have CFL recycling programs, according to Richard Chesley of the S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control.  Contact your local municipal solid waste agency directly, call 1-800-CLEAN-UP, or visit DHEC's Web site to identify local recycling options.  If recycling is not an option in your area, seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash.  CFLs should not be disposed of in an incinerator.
 
How should I clean up a broken CFL?
If a CFL breaks in your home, open nearby windows and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes to disperse any vapor that may escape, carefully sweep up the fragments (do not use your hands) and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel to remove all glass fragments. Do not use a vacuum. Place all fragments and cleaning materials in two sealed plastic bags and put into the outside trash.

Information provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Question: Can I use a CFL in a 3-way or dimmable fixture?

Answer: Yes. Look for CFLs labeled for use on a dimmer switch or 3-way fixture. Using regular CFLs in these fixtures will shorten the bulb’s life and void its warranty.

Question: Can I use a CFL with an electronic control such as an electronic timer, photo sensor, motion sensor, touch lamp or remote light control?

Answer: Since CFL ballasts are designed for a specific input voltage and are not designed to handle deviations, imposing them can cause the circuitry to malfunction or not be able to effectively light the lamp or keep the current through the lamp well regulated.  The result is that operating CFLs on controls can significantly shorten the lifespan of the product. It is possible for electronic controls to be designed to work with fluorescent technology, so check with the manufacturer of the electronic control device for compatibility. Note that CFLs can be used with mechanical timers (those that do not use electricity to operate) without adversely affecting the performance.

Answer: Be sure to check the lamp package, which will indicate if the lamp is not intended for use with electronic timers or photocells. To find out if an electronic timer or photocell is compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs, check with the manufacturer of the timer or photocell.

Question: Can I use a CFL in a ceiling fan or garage door opener?
Answer: Yes, but the vibration from the fan or garage door opener could shorten the life of the CFL.

Question: What should I do if a CFL breaks?

Answer: Clean up doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. The EPA’s recommendations for cleaning up a spill are that (1) you immediately open windows to reduce mercury concentrations inside your home, (2) you do not touch the spilled mercury, (3) you clean up the broken CFL glass carefully and immediately (but not with your hands or a vacuum cleaner), and (4) you wipe the affected area with a paper towel to remove all glass fragments and mercury.

Question: How do I dispose of a CFL when it burns out?

Answer: CFLs should be recycled though a household waste collection program. To find the nearest CFL recycling location, you can call the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control at 1-800-768-7348. Additionally, each South Carolina electric cooperative office will accept CFLs for recycling as part of the “Do the Light Switch” campaign. If recycling does not yet exist in your area, you can lawfully dispose of the bulbs in your household garbage. To reduce the risk of exposure, wrap the bulb in a sealed plastic bag before discarding it.