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• Why should I buy Bulb-x energy-saving bulbs ?
For at least 6 good reasons :
1. They use 80% less electricity than regular bulbs, which means you will significantly reduce your electricity bill ;
2. They last 8 times longer than regular bulbs, i.e. 8000 hours instead of 1000 ;
3. They are about 40% cheaper than at the shops ;
4. They light very quickly, i.e. in 1 second ;
5. They produce pleasant light for the interior ;
6. By changing bulbs you contribute to the fight against global warming.

• Why do energy-saving bulbs (also called “compact fluorescent lamps” or CFLs) use less electricity than regular bulbs (also called “incandescent bulbs”) ?
In an incandescent bulb, 95% of the electricity used is transformed into heat and only 5% into light. By contrast, an energy-saving bulb needs 5 times less electricity to produce the same amount of light. Also, because it is so much more efficient it heats up much less and therefore lessens the risk of burning and of fire.

• How long does a Bulb-x CFL last ?
It lasts 8’000 hours, or about 8 years if used 3 hours per day. That's 8 times more than an incandescent bulb !

• How much does lighting represent in an average household's electricity usage ?
For the average European household, 21% of electricity consumption is for lighting. This means that by changing from regular to energy-saving bulbs, a household can reduce its total electricity consumption by 16,8% (80% x 21%), which is substantial.

• If I buy energy-saving bulbs for my home, how much can I expect to save on my electricity bill ?
You can save up to EUR 80.- (CHF 128.-) of electricity per bulb that you change.
Let's imagine you replace a regular bulb of 100W with a CFL of 20W. Given that the regular bulb of 100W uses about 100 kW/h per year, that a CFL of 20W uses about 20 kW/h and that the average cost of 1 kW/h in Europe is EUR 0.125 (CHF 0.20), the regular bulb will cost EUR 12.50 (CHF 20.-) in electricity per year, while the CFL will cost only EUR 2.50 (CHF 4.-). Therefore, you will save EUR 10.- (CHF 16.-) per bulb and per year. And given that a Bulb-x bulb lasts 8 years, you will save EUR 80.- (CHF 128.-) per bulb that you change.

• Why are CFLs good for the environment ?
For 3 main reasons:
1. Because they use 80% less electricity and therefore save energy ;
2. Because they last 8 times longer and therefore generate less waste ;
3. Because 93% of the material they are made of is recyclable.
It is for there reasons that CFLs are recommended by the WWF, one of the major international NGOs fighting against global warming today. For more information, click here.

• Why do you give 5% of your income to the WWF ?
Because one of the founding principles of our company is to do our best to fight global warming and because the WWF is, in our view, one of the most efficient NGOs in the world today fighting climate change.

• Why are CFLs more expensive than incandescent bulbs ?
Because they contain ballasts that are necessary for the lighting and stabilization of the bulb and because these ballasts are quite costly to produce.

• Is the light produced by a CFL the same as the one produced by an incandescent bulb ?
Yes, Bulb-x bulbs produce a light colour called "warm white" (i.e. 2700°K), which is the same as for an incandescent bulb.

• Is it true that the production of CFLs requires a lot of energy ?
Yes, it takes 4 to 5 times more energy to produce a CFL than an incandescent bulb. However, given that CFLs last 8 times longer, it still makes very much sense to use them.

• How does an energy-saving bulb work ?
It works the same way as a fluorescent tube. It uses electricity to excite mercury vapour in argon or neon gas, resulting in a plasma that produces short-wave ultraviolet light. This light then causes a phosphor powder to fluoresce, which produces visible light. For more information, click here.

• What must I do with my old CFLs ?
You must imperatively bring them to a recycling center because:
1. They are 93% recyclable ;
2. They contain a small amount of mercury (about 5 mg) that is very damaging to the environment, which means that you must NEVER throw them away with your regular trash.

• Are incandescent bulbs “indecent” ?
To the extent that they use 5 times more electricity and that their life expectancy is 8 times shorter than CFLs, we can indeed say that they are “indecent”. In fact, incandescent bulbs are more efficient as heating devices than as lighting devices !

• Is it true that the price of electricity in Switzerland is going to increase in the coming years ?
Yes, an increase of 20 to 40% is forcasted between now and 2009-10. This is due primarily to increasing demand and stagnating supply (see “Le prix de l’électricité va exploser”, Tribune de Genève, May 25, 2007).

• Is it true that the European Union (EU) wants to forbid the sale of incandescent bulbs ?
Yes, the 27 countries of the EU plan to start fading out the sale of incandescent bulbs in 2009. This measure is part of their strategy in the fight againt global warming and could help to cut carbon emissions by about 20-25 million tons per year. It would also save 5-10 billion euros annually in domestic fuel expenses (see « EU plans to free imports of Chinese light bulbs », International Herald Tribune, July 26, 2007).