Compact fluorescent lamps are designed to replace incandescent lamps and reduce the carbon footprint of a building. Most are capable of retrofitting into existing light fixtures formerly occupied by incandescent bulbs, making it necessary only to buy the lamp and save on the cost of replacement fixtures. This shift toward CFL retrofitting is part of a global movement to produce the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. It is estimated that 40% of all greenhouse gases are produced by commercial properties. Because a significant portion of the electricity used to power building lights is still produced by burning coal, oil, and natural gas, inefficient light fixtures contribute to increased fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Energy saving alternatives such as compact fluorescent lighting has become increasingly prevalent in the world of indoor and outdoor lighting for this very reason. It is hoped that by reducing the consumption of electricity with more power-saving commercial fluorescent light fixtures, the need to burn fossil fuel will decrease, and the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels will proportionally decrease as a result.

Regardless of whether or not retrofitting incandescent fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs will actually have enough of a positive impact to reverse rising global temperatures, CFLs are nevertheless here to stay. They have already found their way into most forms of commercial indoor and outdoor lighting, and the technology behind their functionality is constantly being fine tuned and re-engineered for even greater efficiency and color rendering capabilities. Any contractor looking to be taken seriously should become as familiar as possible with commercial fluorescent lighting. As more companies sweat the problematics of rising fuel costs, inflation, recessionary downturns, contractors must make available every form of technology that offers a glimmer of financial hope and environmental sustainability beyond the horizons of the current crisis.

It also helps to share some basic information with cost conscious clients who may be hesitant to spend money on new equipment. Pointing out the enormous savings on power costs as a tangible return on investment is often all it takes to get a client to accept your proposal in the confidence that money well spent is a means of recession proofing themselves.

The first thing to point out to clients is the fundamental inefficiency in the design of the incandescent lamp. Incandescents use the most electricity of any lamp type and tend to have a much lower lamp life than newer technology such as the kind used by compact fluorescent light. Because of this, California has outlawed Incandescents and mandated that they be completely phased out by December 2010. The company that continues to rely upon incandescent is at odds with the inevitable. They are paying more in electricity than they have to pay, more in replacement costs than is necessary, and contributing the global madness of rampant CO2 emulsions. Pointing out to clients that there is a more rational and profitable alternative to this available through LED and compact fluorescent lighting can encourage businesses to have to confidence to move forward in spite of the sluggishness of the economy around them.

You may encounter hesitancy over costs and the quality of compact fluorescent lighting in general. The lamps do cost more. This is a fact. At the same time, the savings they create on power costs and the longer lifespan they enjoy that reduces replacement costs pays the customer back on their investment over time. Because CFL's rely upon ultraviolet light to produce visible light, they operate on a different spectrum than Incandescents. Recent improvements in compact fluorescent light technology have improved the quality of the lighting they produce and the level of color they can render. Today's CFL emits a light very similar to an incandescent soft white light, which is less glaring and more comfortable to the eyes, anyway. These two improvements have made it possible for CFLs to be used in almost any indoor or outdoor environment.

Contact your account manager at RLLD Commercial Lighting for information power saving percentages generated by specific CFLs. We can provide you with detailed specifications on any compact fluorescent light fixture you are interested in, and we will also give you a free photometric analysis of your client's facility that you can lay on the table as a visual keynote to your proposal.