All about the Squigglies

If you've paid any attention to energy costs lately, you've noticed that they're getting bigger! Agh! Get it off me!

And along with this news I'm sure that you've heard of the Squigglies. They're also called Compact Florescent Light Bulbs, or CFL's for short. I prefer the Squigglies, frankly because it is more fun to say.

So, my question to you is: Does going green by buying these more expensive bulbs really save you any green?

The Energy Star program (I'm sure you've seen their sticker all over Lowe's and computer stores) was founded back in 1992 by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Their goal is to promote the use and sale of energy efficient consumer products. I mention this only to point out this table they provide on their website about CLF's.


From this power usage chart we're looking pretty good! I'm seeing promise! Using one-third of the power should result in using that much less energy cost per unit, right? Well let's find out!

Ok, so you're standing at the store staring at the different light bulbs they've got for sale. On your left you've got the standard incandescent light bulbs that you've always used. The price works out to be 50 cents per unit. On your right you've got these brand spankin' new compact florescents - squigglies! Cool! But wait, $3.00 per bulb??!? Who would pay that? It's 6 times more expensive!!! So you grab the bulbs you've always taken before.

Then you remember that you read this awesome article about Squigglies by this guy who has a blog. You remember that he explained in that article that those incandescent bulbs have a life of approx. 1,000 hours of use, compared to the Squigglies that can last for 10,000 hours!!

You look again at the bulb in your hand and look at the energy consumption and notice that it's rated at 75 watts. You get a bit smarter and go back to compare the Squigglie - hmm... 20 watts... You do some quick math in your head and figure that over the life of one Squigglie (10,000 hrs.), the incandescent bulb would consume a total of 750 kilowatt-hours compared to 250 for the Squigglie...

Ok, we're getting a bit closer now! You assume an average cost of electricity of $0.105 per kilowatt-hour, and you quickly realize that the incandescent bulb you hold in your hand will cost you $78.75 based on the life of one CFL, whereas the Squigglie would cost you only $23.25.

Hmm... you think some more... You would need 10 incandescent bulbs to equal the live of just one Squigglie. There's an extra five dollar bill. So, total cost of using incandescent bulbs compared to just one Squigglie is (drum roll......) $83.75! and the Squigglie? A mere $26.25.

By now, you're on your way to the check out stand feeling $57.50 richer. You take great confidence in knowing that you can tell all your friends how easy it is to save some green, just by changing ONE light bulb! Congratulations, my friend. You have made the right choice. Not only does your bank account feel happier, you've made a tree smile!!