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| How much money does my group make? |
Each fundraising organization generally makes approximately 40% of the final selling price of each light bulb. The exact amount varies depending on the quantity ordered each time, the exact light bulbs ordered and whether any tax has to be paid. The fundraiser administrator pays a low price when the light bulbs are purchased, and then the light bulbs are sold for a higher price and the fundraiser keeps the difference. And each fundraising organization is automatically entered in the prize competition. |
| Can my Girl Scout or Boy Scout Troop participate? |
Scout troops are more than welcome to this fundraising drive. In general, individual units should check with their councils and give them the details of their fundraising drive. There normally should not be any problem with selling these light bulbs to raise money. You can get more details from your council, or you can see Girl Scout Fundraising Regulations, or download the Boy Scout Permit form.
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| How much money does each bulb save the consumer? |
Each light bulb will generally save at least $30-40 over the life of the light bulb which is usually around 8,000 hours. Depending on your utility rate, however, this number could be a lot higher. Use our Energy Savings Calculator to determine your exact savings. |
| How much will the prize be? |
The total prize amount is created by LightbulbsAmerica donating $.10 for each bulb purchased. At the end of the current fundraiser program, December 31, 2008, the total amount set aside will be split up between a grand prize winner, and winners for each state. For a more detailed description, see the prize rules. |
| Can I use these CFL bulbs in enclosed fixtures? |
| These compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) can be used in any open fixture and in most enclosed fixtures as long as it is not totally recessed and enclosed, like a ceiling can with a cover over the bulb. These may create temperatures too high for the CFL bulbs and reduce their life. |
| Should I replace all my bulbs with CFL bulbs? |
For now, you should probably concentrate on replacing the light bulbs that are used the most. The compact fluorescent are a bit more expensive and they do operate slightly differently than regular bulbs, though recent changes in the technology has greatly reduced the differences. They don't flicker and hum like the old ones. The main differences to keep in mind are:
- Cold. The CFL bulbs don't do as well in the cold, so they are not as good for outside use in cold climates. They take a while to turn on completely and their light output is reduced.
- Rarely Used. If you have an unused closet with a regular bulb that is only turned on a few times a month for just a few seconds, it will likely not make economic sense to replace that bulb with a CFL. It may make sense, however, to put a CFL in when the old bulb finally burns out.
- Weird size light fixtures. Some lighting fixtures, sconces and chandeliers have unusual size or shapes that may prevent the appropriate size CFL from being used. There are some CFL with the small bases available now, but currently they are not dimmable. If you have to buy new fixtures, try to select ones that will accommodate CFL bulbs.
- Dimming and Timer switches. Some of these specialty switches may not operate correctly with CFL bulbs, or may reduce their lifetime. In general, it is not a problem but you may experience some difficulty. Remember that if you have a dimming switch on a circuit, you must use only dimmable CFL's.
- On/Off/On/Off/On/Off. If you have some light that for whatever reason is turned on and off repeatedly for short periods of time, it may reduce the lifetime of the CFL.
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| Should I replace my old bulbs now if they still work? |
| The answer may surprise you. From a purely energy savings and total cost savings, the answer is normally YES for several reasons: |
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The normal lifetime of an incandescent lightbulb is 1,000 hours. Assuming that your 100-watt bulb is brand new, it will consume 100 kilowatt hours until it burns out. At $.09/kwh, this will cost you at least $9.00 (it could be $25 or more depending on your utility rates.)
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A replacement CFL bulb will cost you less than $5.00 and its energy usage during the same 1,000 hours will only cost you $2.07. Thus, you clearly come out ahead during the first 1,000 hours. After that, you will continue to spend only $2.07 for each 1000 hours of use as compared to the $9.00 you were spending. And you avoid the extra cost of $1.00 or so for a new incandescent bulb each 1000 hours.
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You don't have to throw your old bulbs away. Most likely, you will not replace working bulbs in places of low usage like closets or rooms that are never used. Save your old bulbs to replace those bulbs when they burn out. When you have used up all your old bulbs, then you can buy new fluorescent bulbs. |
| Does EPA recommend the use of CFLs? |
Yes. CFLs, when compared with standard incandescent bulbs, offer many benefits. First, they help save energy and money. They use 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL can save you at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
Second, CFLs offer convenience, because they last longer, and come in different sizes and shapes to fit almost any fixture. In addition, CFLs produce about 70% less heat than standard incandescent bulbs, so they’re safer to operate and can help cut energy costs associated with home cooling. When shopping, always look for ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. |
| Is it true that CFLs contain mercury? Why and how much? |
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen). Mercury is an essential, irreplaceable element in CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. By comparison, older home thermometers contain 500 milligrams of mercury and many manual thermostats contain up to 3000 milligrams. It would take between 100 and 600 CFLs to equal those amounts.
There is currently no substitute for mercury in CFLs; however, manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products over the past decade. |
| Should I be concerned about using CFLs in my home, or should I take any special precautions? |
| CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly. However, CFLs are made of glass tubing and can break if dropped or roughly handled. Be careful when removing the lamp from its packaging, installing it, or replacing it. Always screw and unscrew the lamp by its base, and never forcefully twist the CFL into a light socket by its tubes. Used CFLs should be disposed of properly using the guidance below. |
| What should I do with a CFL when it burns out? |
Follow these guidelines to dispose your CFL properly:
• Like paint, batteries, thermostats, and other hazardous household items, CFLs should be disposed of properly. Do not throw CFLs away in your household garbage if better disposal options exist. To find out what to do first check the following website: www.earth911.org where you can find disposal options by using your zip code or by calling 1-877
EARTH911 for local disposal options. Another option is to check directly with your local waste management agency for recycling options and disposal guidelines in your community. Additional information is available at www.lamprecycle.org. Finally, IKEA stores take back used CFLs, and other retailers are currently exploring take-back programs.
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If your local waste management agency offers no other disposal options except your household garbage, place the CFL in a plastic bag and seal it before putting it in the trash. If your waste agency incinerates its garbage, you should search a wider geographic area for proper disposal options. Never send a CFL or other mercury-containing product to an incinerator.
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ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs have a two-year warranty. If the bulb fails within the warranty period, return it to your retailer. |
| What should I do if a CFL breaks? |
Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should a bulb break and it’s cleaned up properly. You can minimize any risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:
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Sweep up—don’t vacuum—all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
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Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well.
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If weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate. |
| What is mercury, what are the sources of mercury emissions, and what are the risks? |
| Mercury is an element (Hg on the periodic table) found naturally in the environment. Mercury emissions in the air can come from both natural and man-made sources. Utility power plants (mainly coal-fired) are the primary man-made source, as mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to make electricity. Coal-fired power generation accounts for roughly 40% of the mercury emissions in the U.S. EPA is implementing policies to reduce airborne mercury emissions. Under regulations issued in 2005, coal-fired power plants will need to reduce their emissions by 70 percent by 2018.
CFLs present an opportunity to prevent mercury emissions from entering the environment because they help to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants. A coal-fired power plant will emit 13.6 milligrams of mercury to produce electricity required to use an incandescent light bulb, compared to 3.3 milligrams for a CFL.
Even in areas without significant coal-fired power generation as part of the electricity mix (e.g., Alaska and the Pacific Northwest), there are other, equally positive environmental
impacts from saving energy through the use of CFLs: reduction of nitrogen oxides (which cause smog), and prevention of substantial quantities of CO2, a greenhouse gas (which is linked to global warming), as well as other air pollutants.
Airborne mercury poses a very low risk of exposure. However, when mercury emissions deposit into lakes and oceans, they can transform into a highly toxic form that builds up in fish. Fish consumption is the most common pathway for human exposure to mercury. Pregnant women and young children are most vulnerable to the effects of this type of mercury exposure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that most people are not exposed to harmful levels of mercury through fish consumption. However, the FDA and state agencies do issue public health advisories.
EPA offers additional information and resources on all sources of mercury at www.epa.gov/mercury.
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| Who can use this fundraiser? |
All groups that need a fundraiser to raise money for their organization can use this fundraising idea. This is one of the best fund-raising ideas because everyone wins. So no matter what kind of fundraiser you are or what kind of fundraising event you need, we can help.
- Schools - elementary schools, grammar schools, church schools, private schools, middle schools, high schools, PTA, PTO
- School groups - band, sports, choir, orchestra, dance, Latin club, French club, cheerleader, dance, pep squad, yearbook
- Youth groups - Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, sports clubs, 4H, Jaycees, Pop Warner
- Church - churches, church youth groups
- Non-profit - booster clubs, charity, other non-profit groups
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