Useful Links

About energy-saving bulbs 

Energy efficient lighting

Lighting: an energy efficient future

Energy-wise lighting

Frequently Asked Questions

• 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 a beautiful warm light ;
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.
 
• 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.