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At EWG, our team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.

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Lighten Up in '09: Shopper's Guide to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs : How Much Can I Save?


You can save money and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mercury discharges with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Use our calculator to determine just how much every CFL will put in your pocket, compared to wasteful incandescents and other lighting technologies.
Changing lightbulbs to CFLs used hours per day (each)

would save you $76.01 yearly

based on the average electric rates in
bulb typeaverage bulb costestimated bulb lifeannual energy costannual savings
incandescent$ 11.4 years
2,000 hours
$ 102.71$ -
halogen energy savers$ 52.1 years
3,000 hours
$ 71.90$ 30.81
compact fluorescent (CFL)$ 35.5 years
8,000 hours
$ 26.70$ 76.01
solid state (LED)$ N/A34.2 years
50,000 hours
$ 20.54$ 82.17