Energy Efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps Research Articles

Household transitions to energy efficient lighting

New energy efficient lighting technologies can significantly reduce household electricity consumption, but adoption has been slow. A unique dataset of German households is used in this paper to examine the factors associated with the replacement of old incandescent lamps (ILs) with new energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). The ‘rebound’ effect of increased lamp luminosity in the transition to energy efficient bulbs is analyzed jointly with the replacement decision to account for household self-selection in bulb-type choice. Results indicate that the EU ban on ILs accelerated the pace of transition to CFLs and LEDs, while storage of bulbs significantly dampened the speed of the transition. Higher lighting needs and bulb attributes like energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and durability spur IL replacement with CFLs or LEDs. Electricity gains from new energy efficient lighting are mitigated by 23% and 47% increases in luminosity for CFL and LED replacements, respectively. Model results suggest that taking the replacement bulb from storage and higher levels of education dampen the magnitude of these luminosity rebounds in IL to CFL transitions.

A brighter future? Quantifying the rebound effect in energy efficient lighting

This paper quantifies the direct rebound effects associated with the switch from incandescent lamps (ILs) or halogen bulbs to more energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs) using a large nationally representative survey of German households. The direct rebound effect is measured as the elasticity of energy demand for lighting with respect to changes in energy efficient lamps. In particular, the rebound effect is decomposed into changes in lamp luminosity and burn time. For the average bulb, the associated total direct rebound effect is estimated at about 6%. The larger part (around 60%) of this rebound effect results from increases in bulb luminosity. For the most frequent (modal) bulb switch, i.e. the replacement of the main bulb in the living or dining room, the total direct rebound effect is just below 3%, with around 60% attributable to an increase in burn time. Average and modal bulb differences suggest that the magnitude of the rebound effect may decrease with intensity of initial bulb use. The magnitude of the direct rebound and the relative contributions of changes in luminosity and burn time also differ by initial bulb type and by replacement bulb type.

Practical Evaluation of Compact Fluorescent Lamps for Dye-Sensitized Photooxidation Reactions

Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) have been evaluated as a light source for the sensitized generation of singlet oxygen used in the oxidation of 1,3-butadienes and furfural derivatives using a range of dyes including rose bengal, methylene blue, and tetraphenylporphyrin. An ambient temperature water jacket was sufficient to cool reaction mixtures due to the low heat output of lamps and the reaction rates using 110 W of CFL were slower but comparable to those obtained using a 500 W tungsten halogen lamp. The conditions were applied to the photooxidation of a series of furan aldehydes and 1,3-butadienes to give products in good yield in 4–96 hours.

Influences on Consumers' Recycling Intentions of Compact Fluorescent Lamps—Mercury as a Factor

The purpose of the current study is to understand consumers’ behavioral intentions in situations involving both positive and negative potential impacts on the environment. The case of energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) with their potential for mercury pollution is an example of this type of trade-off. Past studies have confirmed the usefulness of the Theory of Reasoned Action for identifying the antecedents influencing recycling rates, however, none have looked at situations where conflicting environmental trade-offs were involved. Stepwise regression analysis was used to develop a core model which explains R2=.561 of the intention to recycle. Significant antecedents include the peer group subjective norm of recycling CFLs (Beta=.661), the attitude towards recycling of CFLs (Beta=.417), the attitude towards the overall environmental friendliness of CFLs (Beta=-.344), and the attitude towards the number of sites available for recycling of CFLs (Beta=.212). Adding the impact of past recycling behavior increases the model’s explanatory power to .726. Important policy implications result from the finding that the number of people who would ‘always or usually’ recycle CFLs increased to 90% by enhancing the convenience of recycling. A significant managerial implication results from the contradictory findings that the attitude towards mercury is not significantly correlated with intentions to recycle, however the attitude towards the environmental friendliness of CFLs was negatively related to recycling intentions. This potentially indicates that there is a lack of understanding of the net positive impact of CFLs and there is potential confusion about the related environmental trade-offs. Recommendations for policy and marketing responses are suggested.

Ultraviolet light output of compact fluorescent lamps: comparison to conventional incandescent and halogen residential lighting sources

Patients with photosensitive dermatologic and systemic diseases often question the ultraviolet light (UVL) output of household lighting sources. Such individuals have increasing concern about potential UVL exposure from energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), as little data have been presented concerning their UVL output. The objective was to compare, via pilot study, the levels of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) leak between residential lighting sources. Equivalent wattage CFL, incandescent and halogen bulbs were purchased from local retailers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. The UVA and UVB outputs of these sources were measured under controlled conditions at 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 cm away from the light source using an IL-1700 research radiometer equipped with UVA and UVB detectors. Negligible UVB and UVA was detected at 100 and 150 cm. Therefore, data were analysed from measurements at 10, 25 and 50 cm only. The results demonstrated UVA leak highest from incandescent and halogen bulbs, and UVB leak highest from CFL. The overall UVA/UVB leak was lowest from CFL shielded during the manufacturing process. In conclusion, patients with photosensitivity have choices depending on their relative risk from different UVL wavelength spectra. UVB exposure risk may be reduced the greatest by utilising CFL with manufacturer-provided shields.

Retrofitting Domestically Used Incandescent Lamps with Compact Fluorescent Program

ABSTRACT Rationalization of energy consumption is a major national concern. In Kuwait, where energy prices are highly subsidized by the Ministry of Energy (MOE), efforts to rectify national energy consumption were sought by MOE. The work discussed in this article aims to achieve efficient utilization of lighting systems by retrofitting energy intensive domestically used incandescent lamps with energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The potential of a national retrofitting program is assessed in terms of its national benefits, including financial and environmental. This assessment evaluated the retrofitting option as if the CFLs will be distributed free of charge for all local residences, as subsidized energy prices cannot justify the purchase of CFLs by house owners. The assessment revealed that in around 3.7 years, MOE will save around million KD29 (million $97). In addition, lamp retrofitting will provide demand savings of 482 MW and 145 MW during off- and on-peak hours respectively. The on-...

A contract for efficient lighting in German public buildings

VEBA AG, one of the largest German companies in the energy sector, has granted the state government a 100 million DM loan (50 million ECU) to replace traditional incandescent lamps with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps in all public buildings. Customers pay for the lamps through their electricity bill. So far, 70,000 such lamps have been installed, resulting in savings of roughly 4 MW. The organizational framework for this programme is quite unique, as it involves several administrative levels and numerous utilities. This article describes the programme's benefits and drawbacks.