CFL lamps have traditionally been more expensive than ‘traditional’ incandescent lamps (IL) because they are more costly to produce (these lamps have integrated ballasts).

The price of a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) has decreased over the last several years. This is great value when you consider that CFL lamps last on average between 6 to 15 times longer than energy inefficient IL and that a consumer can save around €80 over the life just by replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 20-watt CFL.

Although initially higher in price, a typical CFL can offer a saving of up to €13 per year on average when compared to an energy inefficient incandescent lamp. A six-year-life rated energy-saving lamp would therefore save about €80 during its lifetime (100W incandescent versus 20W CFL). This is based on an assumption of 3 continuous burning hours per day, for an energy cost of 0,15 €/kWh.

It takes approximately five times more energy to produce one CFL compared to one energy inefficient IL. However, as CFL lamps last on average between 6 to 15 times longer than energy inefficient IL, the amount of energy needed for the production of one CFL is comparable to the production of between 6 to 15 IL – hence the saving over the lifecycle of the product is much higher.

Therefore, an energy saving CFL has a much lower overall environmental impact than an energy inefficient incandescent lamp throughout its lifecycle. More than 97% of energy consumed during the lifecycle of a lamp is in the use phase and as CFLs are up to 80% more efficient than an average inefficient incandescent lamp, the savings are evident.