When it comes to fighting climate change, many Americans are not only talking the talk, they're actually walking the walk. Case in point: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, D.C., estimates that Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) sales in 2007 nearly doubled from 2006, accounting for approximately 20% of the U.S. light bulb market.
According to market data, sales of Energy Star-qualified CFLs have substantially increased over the past two years. In 2006, it is estimated that the market share jumped to around 11%, compared to a market share consistently under 5% in the first part of the decade. Sales totaled approximately 290 million bulbs in 2007.
According to the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star-qualified CFLs offer a minimum lifetime of 6,000 hours, maintain their light output over time, and are more energy efficient than standard CFLs. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
