Wondering what to do when a light bulb in your bathroom burns out? Wonder no longer! In this article, you’ll learn how to recycle your old incandescent bathroom light bulbs, and which energy-efficient light options you can use to replace them.
What’s wrong with incandescent light bulbs?
Many people have incandescent light bulbs in their bathrooms due to the soft light they emit, and their ultra-low price tag. However, did you know that incandescent light bulbs are highly inefficient where energy is concerned? The truth is, the vast majority of the energy pumped through an incandescent light bulb is released as heat, not light. [1] That’s why the bulbs get so hot—and also why they don’t last very long or put out a lot of light! As a result, many incandescent light bulbs are being phased out of production and replaced by more energy-efficient options.
Which light bulbs are best for bathrooms?
Two energy efficient options for bathrooms are LEDs (light-emiting diodes) and CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). Although they cost more than incandescent light bulbs, they last longer and use less energy, so you’ll actually save more money over time. [2]
But with so many LED and CFL options out there, how do you know which work best in the bathroom? Imprinted on the light bulb you will find a number followed by a “K.” This is the Kelvin (K) temperature scale. The best light bulbs for bathrooms will be labeled between 3500 and 4100K. This signifies a Bright White or Cool White light bulb that experts recommend for bathrooms. [3]
How can I recycle my bathroom light bulbs?
Incandescent light bulbs typically last 1,000 hours. When they burn out, you can drop them off at a local recycling center. To find one near you, simply type “Incandescent Light Bulbs” into this search tool.
How to recycle CFLs
CFLs typically last 10,000 hours. When they burn out, you can drop them off at a local recycling center. To find one near you, simply type “CFLs” into this search tool.
How to recycle LEDs
LEDs typically last 25,000 hours. When they burn out, you can drop them off at a local recycling center. To find one near you, simply type “LEDs” into this search tool.
[1] http://www.earth911.com/eco-tech/the-phase-out-of-incandescent-light-bulbs-what-you-need-to-know/
[2] http://www.earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-cfls/
