Are CFL’s Really Cheaper?

Everyone is talking about using compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to reduce our electricity needs. However, I often hear people say they are too expensive for what energy they save. So I decided to do the math to find out for myself whether my recent investment in CFL’s was worth while financially.

I had a feeling they were a good deal but the results of my investigation actually surprised me. There are many ways to compare the costs but I decided to compare one CFL to one incandescent light bulb. I recently purchased 13 watt CFL’s (GE) to replace several 60 watt incandescent bulbs. A 13 watt CFL hass approximately 825 lumens while the 60 watt incandescent bulb has 860 lumens (basically they are the same level of light). So this example will compare these two bulbs.

Here are the facts: Currently we are paying $0.153 per kWh. I purchased the Philips Soft White 60 watt bulbs for $0.88 each. The GE 13 watt CFL’s were on sale for $1.49 each (6 pack for $8.95 at Walmart!!). The CFL is rated for 8000 hours of operation and the incandescents are rated for 1000 hours.

Here’s the Math:
Incandescent Bulbs: 8 bulbs x $0.88 + 8000 hrs x $0.153 / 1000 x 60 watts = $80.48
CFL Bulbs: 1 bulb x $1.49 + 8000 hrs x $0.153 / 1000 x 13 watts = $17.40

So for 8000 hours of light for a single bulb the CFL is almost 5 times cheaper than an incandescent bulb!! If the average home has 40 light bulbs, and the bulbs last about 7 years, then the total savings of $2523 over 7 years or $360 per year. I don’t know about you but that is a signficant savings plus you’re helping reduce pollution by reducing your electricity needs.

You can buy the GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM – 8 Pack – 60 watt ouput from Amazon and start replacing your bulbs today.

11 Comments Already

Gene Said,

August 17th, 2008 @4:54 pm

Good post. The only downside of fluorescents (compact or otherwise) is the mercury the bulbs contain, but that mercury is a much better choice than the mercury and other pollutants given off by coal-fired power plants that provide most of the electricity in the U.S.

The only times the mercury is an issue is when the bulb is burned out and then it should be recycled properly, or if the bulb breaks. If a CFL or other fluorescent breaks, use a damp rag to clean it up; do not vacuum it.

Green Me Said,

August 17th, 2008 @10:21 pm

Thank you for doing the math! I just updated my recent post on switching to CFLs to include a link to this post.

Karen Anne Said,

August 18th, 2008 @6:02 am

Plus, how often do light bulbs break? Not often in my house. I use GE bulbs, and can’t recall the last one that broke. Once I bought Phillips and all the ones in that package broke when I was removing them from the sockets (hope they make better CFLs than incandescents.)

My electric bill sank like a stone after I switched to CFLs . Then corrupt RI government gave National Grid something like a 20% rate increase to offset the lower electric usage of customers, like our goal in life is to keep the electric company the same size regardless of the energy we save. Time to call the solar people…

Jennifer Said,

August 18th, 2008 @8:52 am

Nice to see the savings laid out. We are almost entirely switched over… I think the laundry room is the only room left. Of course, we haven’t changed it in the 4 years we’ve been here… so it may be one already.

Todd Said,

August 18th, 2008 @11:45 am

I was pretty surprised at the savings. Even if the numbers are half that amount it’s certainly worth considering.

Proper disposal of CFL’s is crucial. I actually keep the original box where we store new bulbs and I put the waste ones back in the box with a piece of tape on it. When the box is full I’ll bring it to hazardous waste recycling day.

Anonymous Said,

August 24th, 2008 @11:20 am

I’ve recently purchased Great Value incandescent bulbs for less than $1 for 4 of them. 850 lumens 60 wt 1000 hour life ones. You may want to redo your calculations based on this.

August 24th, 2008 @3:26 pm

Even if you buy incandescent bulbs at $0.25 each, the clear winner is the fluorescent.

Incandescent Bulbs: 8 bulbs x $0.25 + 8000 hrs x $0.153 / 1000 x 60 watts = $75.44