Light Less - Choose energy efficient light bulbs and machinery. Redesign to let in natural light to consume less electricity.Recycle - Convert used materials into new products. Figure out what you can recycle and where.

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Solution posted in response to What to do with old light bulbs?

Keep standard bulbs for special uses

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Don’t throw your incandescent bulbs away! CLFs aren’t suited to every fixture or situation, so standard bulbs will continue to be useful throughout a home that is trying to be energy efficient.

1. If you can’t verify that a pre-installed dimmer switch is CFL compatible, always use a standard bulb. Using CFLs with non-compatible dimmers can create a fire hazard.
2. Incandescent bulbs are preferable for “short-use” areas such as closets and half baths where lights are subjected to frequent, short on/off cycles. Such use patterns can reduce the life of a CFL.
3. Outdoor fixtures equipped with motion sensors are made for compatibility with incandescent bulbs primarily.

Comments (3)


Barbara Lebow: Thanks! Will follow your advice and pass it on. Never considered safety measures. How do you verify? And is that necessary only for dimmer switches?

Crissy Trask: Remove the face plate on the dimmer switch. The back plate will be engraved with all kinds of words and numbers. See if it reads "CLF compatible" anywhere. If not, call the manufacturer to inquire. Other lighting products beside dimmers, may also be incompatible with CFLs. According to EnergyStar.gov, most photocells, motion sensors, and electronic timers are not designed to work with CFLs. Check with the manufacturer and the CFL packaging for compatibility.

Richard Halpern: Another option for recycling light bulbs: http://www.ecolights.com/

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What To Do With Old Light Bulbs? has an EcoSolution! Keep Standard Bulbs For Special Uses

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