A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), is a somewhat miniaturized fluorescent tube packaged with an integral electronic ballast in a standard screw base. The shape is a continuous tube in a spiral shape - this is the most popular model of compact fluorescent light bulb.
Compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs use less energy and have a longer rated life. CFLs are designed to replace an incandescent bulb and can fit in most existing light fixtures. However, there are differences. If you use the right bulb for the right lighting fixture, you maximize energy savings.
Not all CFLs are the same, ENERGY STARŪ qualified CFLs are different from other CFLs on the market because they have been tested to meet stringent performance criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The criteria ensure that all CFLs earning the ENERGY STAR label meet minimum lifetime and efficiency requirements, and are within maximum allowed product start and warm-up times. Manufacturers are also required to label the product if the light output is different from that of a soft white incandescent. If you choose a CFL that is not ENERGY STAR-qualified, you might not get the performance you are looking for. By choosing an ENERGY STAR-qualified CFL, you are assured that it will turn on in less than a second, and reach at least 80 percentage of full light output within 3 minutes.
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