To learn more about their environmental impacts, Hydro-Québec commissioned a comparative life-cycle analysis of two types of lightbulbs: compact fluorescent and incandescent.*

For the 84% of Québec homes that do not rely on oil or natural gas for heating, the compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) is the best choice throughout the entire year with regard to all the indicators examined: human health, ecosystems, climate change and resource availability. For the other 16% of homes, the CFL is the best choice in the milder months when the heating is off.

Those are the findings of a study by the Interuniversity Research Centre for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes and Services (CIRAIG) published in July 2008.

Cradle to grave

The study looked at each stage of the lightbulb's life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials up to final disposal of the product, taking into account the mercur content and its impact on the environment.

The study showed that the 3 mg of mercury in CFLs does not pose a significant threat to human health or the environment. Furthermore, end-of-life disposal of mercury waste in a landfill accounts for less than 1% of overall environmental damage in the product life cycle.

Environmental protection

Although it is the most environmentally sound option for Québec right now, the use of CFLs does present new challenges, especially with respect to recycling.

Hydro-Québec encourages you to handle CFLs carefully and recycle them responsibly and safely, as you do with paint or other hazardous household waste, making use of the options offered in your municipality. For more information, go to RecycFluo Web site.

Small step, big energy savings

A CFL uses up to 75% less power than an incandescent bulb.

If every Québec household replaced a single incandescent bulb with a CFL, that would save 54 million kWh per year, equivalent to the consumption of about 2,700 electrically heated homes.

For more details,
Visit our Web site or call 1 800 ENERGIE (363-7443).

*CIRAIG, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Compact Fluorescent and Incandescent Light Bulbs, July 2008.