What to Know About Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs Shedding light
on CFLs. - Do CFLs and incandescents use the same wattage? No.
CFLs use less energy to cast the same amount of light. (A 13- to
15-watt CFL, for instance, is equivalent to a 60-watt
incandescent.) - Can CFLs be used with dimmers? Yes, but only
those labeled “Dimmable.” Otherwise, you’ll shorten the bulb’s
life considerably. - Should CFLs be recycled? Yes. Because CFLs
contain mercury, they shouldn’t be thrown in the trash. You can
recycle them through Ikea and Home Depot, or check at your local
recycling center. - What happens if a CFL breaks? Because CFLs
contain small amounts of mercury, you need to be meticulous if
one shatters. Ventilate the room for 15 minutes. Wearing rubber
gloves, scoop up the debris with cardboard and use duct tape to
secure any fragments. Place the pieces in a zippered plastic bag
and toss in the trash.