Latest Price Cuts
More at Argos
Kids World
Shopping channel
-
Energy saving light bulbs
Browse
Saving energy
If you want to save yourself money and help the environment, energy saving light bulbs, otherwise know as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), are an excellent way to do it. Each bulb uses on average 80% less energy than a standard lightbulb.
In fact, just one energy saving light bulb could save you between £2.50 - £6 a year per bulb, depending on their use, plus it should last around 10 times longer. According to the Energy Saving Trust, if you were to fit all the lights in your house with energy saving bulbs you could save around £37 a year and £590 over the lifetime of all of the bulbs.
Dealing with breakages
Like all household products, energy efficient bulbs can break, but they are actually harder to break than traditional bulbs. They are often coated with plastic as a protector and as they’re of a smaller diameter than traditional bulbs they have higher stress limits, according to trade figures, breakage rates are less than 1%.
Although the accidental breakage of a lamp is most unlikely to cause any health problems, it’s good practice to minimise any unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as risk of cuts from glass fragments. Always remember to:
- Ventilate the room.
- Wipe the area with a damp cloth, place that in the plastic bag and seal it.
- Sticky tape (e.g. duct tape or similar) can be used to pick up small residual pieces or powder from soft furnishings and then placed in a sealed plastic bag. The plastic bag doesn't need to be air tight, but should be reasonably sturdy.
- Place it in another, similar bag and seal that one as well (this minimises cuts from broken glass).
- Contact your local authority for advice on where to dispose of it.
Safe disposal
All energy saving light bulbs (CFLs) should be treated as hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in the bin. All local councils have an obligation to make arrangements for the disposal of household hazardous waste at a civic amenity site or household waste recycling centre.
The National Household Hazardous Waste Forum runs a website with details of centres for chemicals and other hazardous wastes www.chem-away.org.uk 
(Argos is not responsible for the content of external sites). Alternatively contact your local council direct.
Save energy now!
Argos has a great range of lightbulbs, including energy saving bulbs and halogen bulbs in many different shapes, colours, and sizes, so you can ensure your lamps save you electricity and money everyday.
